Indonesia’ Aceh province deploys troops to calm religious unrest

Indonesia deployed security personnel in its northern Aceh province on Thursday to calm unrest  after a mob burnt down two churches and killed one person in religious violence on Tuesday. 

The situation is calm now and under control according to national police spokesman Agus Rianto.  They are carrying out patrols in the area with the help of military troops.

Provincial police chief Husein Hamidi said 10 people had been detained on suspicion of inciting violence. "We plan on facilitating the return of those who had fled because conditions are safe now," Hamidi told reporters.

Responding to the violence, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo tweeted: "Stop the violence in Aceh Singkil. Any background of violence, especially religion and belief, destroys diversity."

Thousands of Protestants and Catholics in Indonesia's Aceh province have fled their homes following the arson attack.

The burning of the church is a continuation of demands made in early October by Islamic fundamentalists who want illegal churches to be permanently closed. Local officials had announced plans to close 10 Christian churches operating without the necessary permits, but the fundamentalists want the churches closed immediately

Josef Roy Benedict, a campaigner with rights group Amnesty International, said he was "deeply concerned about the failure of local police to prevent the attacks."

He also emphasized that the decision to dismantle the churches is a clear violation of the right to religious freedom. Amnesty International calls on the government to take immediate steps to put an end to the rising tide of repression against religious minorities in Aceh.

Aceh was granted special regional autonomy as part of a 2005 peace agreement ending a three-decade old separatist insurgency, which allowed it to implement Sharia law, putting it at odds with the rest of the country.

According to a controversial 2006 statute, church officials are required to provide a list of names and signatures of 90 congregation members and receive written support from at least 60 local residents along with the support of a village chief before being granted official permission to construct a church. In May 2012, the local government began closing what it deemed to be illegal churches. (Varie)