Saturday (27 May 2023) at 7 am, dozens of fully armed police officers were reported to have forcibly surrounded the house of a resident of Gampong Blang Meurandeh, Beutong Ateuh Banggalang District, Nagan Raya, namely the residence of Abu Kamil.

According to a field source, KontraS Aceh, the police reasoned that the siege was part of their efforts to search for fugitives (DPOs) in drug cases.

However, it is suspected that police officers have also peeked at Abu Kamil's house.

"This action is clearly contrary to procedure," said Azharul Husna, Coordinator of KontraS Aceh, in a press release, Sunday (28 May 2023).

Residents then felt uneasy about the siege. Moreover, the people of Gampong Blang Meurandeh still have memories of past human rights violations in the area. The events of the siege this time brought up their trauma again.

In this regard, KontraS Aceh firmly condemns the actions of the police, who are suspected of being arbitrary in their actions, including in carrying out the siege of Abu Kamil's house.

"Moreover, looking at Beutong's history with past human rights violations that have not yet recovered, this action has the potential to traumatize Beutong residents. The police have no sensitivity," Husna criticized.

According to KontraS Aceh, entering and carrying out inspections at the house where a person lives or conducting an inspection is justified by law, but some rules must be obeyed.

Husna mentioned KUHAP regulations in the Chief of Police Regulation Number 8 of 2009. Among other things, officers must complete administration by letter and notify the head of the local environment, including notifying the house's occupants about the importance of the siege by showing a work order and officer's identity card.

"Officers are even prohibited from doing this if they do not notify residents about the interests, goals and legitimate reasons for the action," Husna said again.

KontraS Aceh emphasized that this siege was contrary to citizens' right to feel safe. On the other hand, the residents of Beutong are currently voicing their opposition to the presence of a mining company that threatens the sustainability of the environment in Beutong Ateuh.

"We condemn this action. Beutong Ateuh residents are being worried about the presence of a mining company, now they are even intimidated by the security forces' siege, where is the state that should provide protection, feel safe and comfortable for them?" he concluded. []