Nani Afrida, Takengon (Central Aceh) – "These are the best times I've experienced in my whole life," said Aman Masnah, 70, a resident of Keunawat village, Lut Tawar district in Central Aceh regency.

Aman said since the signing of the peace treaty by Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in August last year, he and the other villagers have experienced a life that is free from fear, suspicion and being on the run.

Aman has lived in the village since he was born. He is used to the sounds of firearms, and has experienced military sweepings, arson attacks, and even physical abuse, because Keunawat was a major GAM stronghold in Central Aceh.

The village of 500 families is located on the hillside facing the beautiful Laut Tawar Lake. The village is typical of many other villages in Central Aceh.

Two noted GAM figures purportedly come from the village. One of them is Teungku Ilias Abed. The majority of its people supported the separatist movement.

Government security forces had blacklisted the village during the conflict in Aceh, including the Darul Islam Indonesian Islamic Military rebellion in 1959. The village has twice been burned to the ground.

In every raid, security forces would initially secure the village, especially during the conflict between GAM and the government. The Indonesian security forces had set up two security posts since they regarded the village as dangerous.

Aman and other residents acknowledged that they were tired of the violence, especially because many of their family members had either died or been injured in the conflict. Most of the people there had pledged allegiance to GAM. Villagers were often subjected to rough treatment by security personnel.

"We were not even allowed to tend our coffee plantations. Villagers became poorer during the conflict," said Aman.

Villagers have greeted the return of peace warmly. Many of their relatives who had joined GAM have come down from the mountains and returned home after being granted amnesty by the government. The TNI and police have abandoned the two security posts, hence people have more freedom of movement.

People are aware that many things must be restored in Keunawat; not only their coffee farms.

Remarkably, there is only a state Islamic elementary school in the village, without any other school for students continuing to junior high or high school. It is common for children not to attend school at all.

Although the whole village has been victimized by the conflict, many have not been provided with aid by the government.

"They say that we have been registered, but we have not received any assistance so far," said Yuniar, a villager who lost a younger brother in the conflict.

The villagers also hope that they will be given the opportunity to become civil servants with the return of peace.

"Hopefully, residents will be accepted as civil servants. Don't discriminate against us anymore just because we come from Keunawat," said Yuniar smiling.