10 people shot dead in Aceh

10 people shot dead in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Ten workers of Bumi Flora, a company dealing
in oil palm plantations, were killed in the district of Idi
Rayeuk, East Aceh on Thursday.

The spokesman for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist
group accused Indonesian Army (TNI) personnel of conducting the
killings.

TNI personnel were upset by a GAM raid on a TNI post in the
area on Wednesday, said Amri Abdul Wahib, who is the commander of
GAM in northern Aceh. "Many TNI soldiers were wounded in the
attack."

He claimed that TNI soldiers raided the office of PT Bumi
Flora and instructed 42 people they found to line up. "The
soldiers then shot them."

Munawir, a doctor at the nearest public health center,
confirmed that 10 of the 16 people with alleged gunshot wounds
were dead. "The other six are in critical condition."

Other sources said that 21 more workers of the company were
killed in the shooting. The dead bodies have yet to be claimed.
PT Bumi Flora is located some 80 kilometers south of the East
Aceh regency capital of Langsa.

Lt. Col. Firdaus, the spokesman for TNI in Aceh, said he had
yet to be informed about the shootings. "I'll let you know
later," he told The Jakarta Post. (50/sur)