Aceh civilians keeping weapons illegally given one month`s time

"We call on them (civilians) to immediately hand their illegal weapons to the police," the governor said, adding that under the Helsinki peace deal signed on August 15, 2005, all fire arms and explosive materials of any kind in the province had to be destroyed.

Irwandi said the provincial administration together with the National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Police would soon announce the deadline across the province.

"If after the one-month period no illegal weapon had been turned in, the police will conduct raids to collect them and then people found to be in illegal possession of weapons will face prosecution," Irwandi said

The governor said civilians would be violating the law if they possessed weapons and explosive materials illegally.

"In the peaceful situation that prevails now, we don`t want to see any violence or robberies by gunmen in Aceh province," the governor said.