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)