Instead, the military has told them that they will be escorted back to their new Acehnese homes and guarded. GAM proudly admits mounting guerilla attacks on soldiers and police, and boasts of killing more than 170 soldiers during the recent general election campaign alone. The military says GAM's figures are grossly exaggerated. GAM also admits torching the ruling Golkar Party's campaign office just before the election and various government buildings. But GAM's Mr Ismail denies the rebels are responsible for the burning of schools and buses.
School is very important for the children.
The guerillas blame unknown provocateurs from within the armed forces wanting to deny refugees places to hide. Travellers forced off some of the buses last week say they were held up by a gang in civilian clothes but with military-style haircuts and weapons. The people's greatest fear is that the military may be deliberately stirring up trouble to provide an excuse to revive their military occupation in greater numbers. And so the Acehnese are running scared.