Militia, By Any Other Name
Thousands of people are not just pledging loyalty to the state but are also putting their lives on the line by opposing GAM. They have received military training, are armed, and are ready to kill. Spontaneous response or armed militia?
July 1, 2003
THEY had arrived in dozens of vans and pickup trucks from surrounding villages. Many of them were sporting red-and-white bandanas. Banners were flying everywhere bearing slogans proclaiming that the undying loyal of the district to the Unitary Republic of Indonesiathe term so beloved by the military. Some of the stewards were carrying walkie-talkies as they meandered around attempting to bring order to the chaos that prevailed last Thursday at th
...