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Hi 
This story is a true story that happened in 2001 ago. At that time, Aceh was still in a state of martial law. Here I do not mean to touch on politics and justice prevailing in Aceh at that time. I just wanted to share a few unforgettable stories with my friends back then.
Hour 08:00 am. August 13, 2001, AD
A sunny morning, the cool air blows from the coast of Sawang. A military patrol car crossed the street in front of my house. A microphone voice, clearly announcing an edict ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence "We announce to all citizens to fly the flags of nagara in front of their homes", so the rapprochement sounds, which are repeated until the sound keeps away from hearing I. It is a duty for every citizen everywhere to fly the flag of his country on the eve of his country's independence anniversary, and this is done every year in order to celebrate the anniversary of independence.
The world already knows that there is an armed conflict between the government military forces and armed groups (GAM) demanding justice. But the problem for us is not to violate the order. But our only wary concern was that two days before this announcement, all state flags owned by residents had been confiscated by armed groups (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka). And conditions like this will be a disaster for the general public. We do not have any more flags that we can use again.
Hour 08:13 am. August 13, 2001, AD
'Booommm', The sound of a bomb explosion sounded loudly moaning, jolting all the citizens. Then follow with the sound of the rifle 'Dor..dor..dor ..'. Not far from my house, about a kilometer of fighting between two armed groups is inevitable. It has become a habit of citizens, whenever they hear the sound of a rifle within a radius of one to two kilometers, all citizens will go away to avoid the effects of combat. Because, it has become the experience of citizens, every time there is a battle, and if the battle has subsided, the military will conduct search sweeps of armed men by collecting every adult, male and female into the open area. And the effect of all this, not a few citizens who will receive free boxing from military personnel.
So, to avoid it, when the explosion of bombs sounded loud, people immediately ran away from the source of sound bombs and guns. In a panic, some residents ran hastily without closing and locking the house door first. Most of us did not have time to take our vehicle, we only had time to take sandals as footwear. Others run by wearing only sarongs and are lifted up to not realize that their underwear is already visible (in Aceh culture, this is a shame). There was a friend who ran up to 5 kilometers without stopping, when I asked why he ran too far, he said: "I thought the soldiers were chasing me behind." Whereas only behind those who fared like and run in fear and trauma
Not far we ran and left the property in our village. About two kilometers, we all stopped at another village. With their kindness here, we can drink and have lunch for today. Maybe because our fate is all the same, Please help it feel light for them. (Thanks to them). Usually, after a tragedy like this, we will be safe to return home after 10 hours.
Hour 20:00 pm. August 13, 2001, AD
But today, after waiting for such a long time, we all intend to return home. When we were about to enter our village territory, some armed civilians came up to us, waving their guns, shouting "No one should go home, the army is still in the area, you have to flee for a while", as he puts it . Some of us soon returned and sought a safe haven for a while. But, given the insufficient supplies, some of us were determined to go home. No matter what happens, we have to go home, I thought.
Hour 23:00 pm. August 13, 2001, AD
The streets we through seemed a bit lonely, no vehicles crossing the street. After We walked about two kilometres, we started to enter the territory of our village. Still looks lonely and gripping, many homes do not turn on electric lights. Maybe because they have not dared to go home. We have 5 people who come home together with the capital of courage and desperation, which in fact all of us are in afraid. We have come together to accompany and accompany when a friend visits his home to collect money and supplies. The first friends home we visited was safe and nothing happened. After he finishes his job, picks up his clothes and the little money he has, and closes the window and locks his door, we go together to the second house.
The second and third houses are also safe and nothing happened. Then we will go to the fourth friend's house, his house is at the end of the hall near the rice fields. After this friend took his supplies, and we were about to leave this house. Suddenly, several people appeared in the shadows who loudly shouted: "Do not move, raise your hands !!". Suddenly we were all surprised, We all raised our hands and threw all the stuff in our hands. The heart does not beat anymore, the blood flow stops. A few rifle tips pointed to our faces. Then, without warning, a member of theirs kicked a friend's back from behind, and he fell forward, and another member hit another of our friends with a butt of guns. Then a scream from some distance stopped their action. I suspect it was their commander. Then he asked, "Why are yours here?". I dared to reply "Sorry sir, we are residents of this village, we go home to see the condition of our house and to take our provisions".
After a little dialogue in the question and answer between us and them, then they searched our things and our bodies. After all was done and nothing suspicious was found, they finally released us. God still helps us 'Alhamdulillah' (I thought in my hart). I will not forget the goodness of this commander. After apologizing for the actions of his men, he ordered his men to drive us out from there to the village border. And we got out of there safely.
