Jakarta/Lhokseumawe – The number of Acehnese who have fled their homes has soared to 48,000 as the Indonesian military (TNI) intensifies its operations in the province.
Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said on Sunday the number of Acehnese fleeing to makeshift refugee camps had risen from 32,000 at the beginning of last week to 48,000 over the weekend.
"The number of refugees has indeed soared due to the intensifying military operation in areas known as GAM strongholds," Bachtiar was quoted by Antara as saying in Jakarta.
The spokesman for the social affairs office in Aceh, Burhanuddin, said earlier 14,246 people were living in camps in South Aceh, 11,280 in North Aceh and 8,777 in Bireuen.
"An increase in the number of refugees has been seen in North Aceh regency, from 10,566 refugees three days ago to 11,280 on Saturday," he said. Others are taking refuge in Central Aceh, Southwest Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, West Aceh, Aceh Singkil, Southeast Aceh, East Aceh and Aceh Jaya regencies, he said. "Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar and Pidie have so far not seen any refugees," he added.
The number of people seeking refuge peaked at 81,671 immediately after the government launched the so-called integrated operation in the province on May 19 to crack down on the secessionist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
GAM has been fighting for independence for the resource-rich province since 1976, during which time over 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed.
Minister Bachtiar said he had asked the Aceh social affairs office to provide sufficient food, clean water and tents to accommodate the rising number of refugees. He said the government had Rp 30 billion (US$3.66 million) in food stocks in the North Sumatra capital of Medan, Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe.
"The ministry has also sent 2,500 tents to accommodate 100,000 refugees and 3,000 sets of kitchen equipment to 16 refugee camps in Aceh. Also, at the end of June we delivered six vehicles to distribute food assistance," he said.
Meanwhile, TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Sunday the military operation might last longer than the six months the government initially predicted.
"It is too early to predict if we will be able to complete martial law operations within six months. But one thing is certain, the TNI will be unable to complete the military operations within six months," the four-star general told reporters during a visit to Aceh.
Following the collapse of a peace treaty signed last December, President Megawati Soekarnoputri issued a presidential decree in May imposing a six-month military emergency in Aceh, in order flush out GAM rebels from the province.
Endriartono, however, said on Sunday it would be impossible to complete the military operation within six months. "Military operations against GAM might be completed within two years, or maybe even 10 years," Endriartono said.
He said the support of the Acehnese community was crucial for TNI to win the war against the separatist GAM. He also said more Acehnese were beginning to supply information to the TNI on the whereabouts of GAM members.
"The Aceh community is becoming braver about telling us the whereabouts of GAM. This is a good sign. The success of the military operation greatly depends on the willingness of the community to cooperate with the TNI," he said after a function marking the promotion of a number of soldiers.
Endriartono promoted 24 soldiers for killing 10 GAM members during a clash with the rebels in Cot Kruet hamlet, Matang Seujuk Tengah village, North Aceh, on June 19. Two soldiers who died in the battle received posthumous promotions.