The Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander said Friday there was no militia in war-weary Aceh who were obstructing the implementation of the peace accord between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

"I have neither seen nor set up any militia in Aceh," Gen. Endriartono Sutarto was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

He said security disturbances by armed civilians who could be categorized as militia were not supposed to occur as the Indonesian government and GAM had already agreed to end their hostilities by signing a truce in Helsinki on Aug. 15.

Up to now, he said, the TNI had not seen signs of the existence of militia nor had it formed such a group to obstruct the implementation of the peace pact with GAM.

As to the military's anticipation of activities of armed civilian groups to derail the peace process, Endriartono said the TNI would continue to ask the people and other concerned groups to support the ongoing implementation of the peace deal in Aceh.

He said anybody breaking the agreement would be punished.

Reports from Aceh said GAM had complained about the presence of armed civilians who had allegedly formed a group that was very harmful to the peace process.

A former GAM district commander, Fauzan Azima, said the armed group's activity had several objectives, including liquidation of former GAM members.

He said dozens of incidents had occurred in Aceh even after the signing of the government-GAM peace deal.

Source: Xinhua