Jakarta (AsiaNews) At least 9 persons were killed and some 30 wounded after a bomb exploded at a square in Peurlak (East Aceh) while thousands of young people attended a concert to ring in the new year.
The confirmation came this morning by way of Da'i Bachtiar, National Chief of Police. In recent days police forces were placed in a state of alert against possible terrorist attacks. Da'i said at a press conference that in general "we have the situation under control (to guarantee) peace."
Among those who died in Aceh, some were quite young in age: Baharuddin Ilyas (14), Ernawati (18) Nuraini Asmadiah (38), Julia Safitri (18 months), Fachrizal (7), and Juliawati (13). The other victims still haven't been identified. One girl who survived, Lisna Masyitah, said that the square was filled with a screaming crowd, enjoying the concert given by local singers and musicians, "when all of a sudden there was a huge explosion heard from the stage, around two hours before midnight."
A military spokesman told journalists that the bomb was a home-made, crude explosive device planted near the crowd. "If it had been a powerful bomb, there would have been many more victims and the stage blown to pieces." The army blamed Aceh's autonomist movement (Free Aceh Movement) for the occurrence. Representatives of the movement abroad denied any involvement.
As of May 2003 Indonesia's government proclaimed martial law in Aceh, launching in addition a campaign against the separatists, who since 1976 have been fighting for independence. (MH).
