Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said a great number of fire arms were still in unauthorized hands in Aceh which could be easily used by anyone wishing to create trouble in the region.

"We know there are still a lot of guns in Aceh that should have been handed in to the authorities," he said at the presidential palace compound here on Friday.

He , however, said shooting incidents in the region recently were pure criminal in nature and not related to politics or separatism. He said the incidents are now still under police investigation.

Purnomo would not tell who might have used the guns so far saying "anyone has the potential to use them."

He hoped activities of the people in Aceh including the holding of the regional elections next month would remain peaceful.

Several peole had been killed and other wounded following a spate of shooting incidents since December 31, 2011.

The last incident occured on Thursday (Jan 5) in Simpang Aneuk Galong Sibreh in Aceh Besar wounding three construction laborers from Semarang, Central Java.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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