Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Three victims of Thursday evening`s shooting incident in Aceh Besar are still being treated in a hospital.

The vice director for services of Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh, HM Andalas, said here on Friday one of the victims, Gunoko (30), was still in critical condition.

The construction worker from Semarang, Central Java, was shot in the head. He was still using a respirator and not yet fit to undergo surgery.

"We cannot yet operate on him to take out the projectile. We hope he can pass this critical phase," he said.

The condition of the two other victims, meanwhile, was improving. Agus Suwityo (35) was shot in the chest while Sotiku Anas (25) was hit in the right shoulder.

Their condition was improving after operations were carried out to extract the projectiles from their bodies.

An unknown gunman shot the three workers from Java when they were resting in their house in a shophouse project area in Simpang Anoek Galong Sibreh at around 7.05 pm local time on Thursday.

He said Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf visited the patients last night.

This was the latest in a spate of shooting incidents in Aceh lately.

The Central Aceh Transitional Committee (KPA) meanwhile has asked to be involved in efforts to uncover the violent incidents that have happened in the region in the past week.

The committee`s spokesman, Muklis Abee, said here on Friday KPA was ready to play an active role to support the police in their efforts to solve the cases.

He said KPA supported law enforcement in line with the instruction of the central KPA leader, Muzakir Manaf.

"We will help the police solve the cases to create peace in the community," he said.

Therefore, he called on all parties not to engage in polemics and speculations on the motives behind the shootings.

"Let us give a room to the police to act because the solution of the cases will deter the criminals who want to take advantage of the rising political temperature in the region ahead of the local elections next month.

Muklis said he was optimistic the police would be able to solve the cases. "The police have a lot of experience in and knowledge about solving such cases so that there is no reason for us not to trust them," he said.

He said KPA was also askingall people and civil elements not to undermine the police in Aceh.

"Let us support the police and give them room (to investigate the cases). If you cannot help, please do not worsen the situation by making statements that will only confuse the people," he said.

KPA called on all people in the region to unite to fight certain quarters` efforts to disrupt peace in Aceh.

"Their aim is only to disrupt peace and so we have to cooperate to fight them," he said.

"We must also protect and give a sense of security to our brothers from outside Aceh," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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