Bhimanto Suwastoyo, Jakarta – Opposition leaders and human rights groups pressured Indonesian President B.J. Habibie and military chief General Wiranto Saturday to account for the killing of unarmed demonstrators, with many calling on Wiranto to resign.

Popular reform leader Amien Rais, without naming Wiranto, called on the head of the Indonesian armed forces (ABRI) to step down after the soldiers opened fire on students here Friday – killing 11 and wounding over 200. "Allow me to express our opinion that the head of the ABRI who holds the highest responsibility for the deaths should resign," Rais, who is chief of the newly-established People's Mandate Party (PAN), told reporters. "It is the best way for democracy and for upholding reforms," Rais added.

As others repeated the call, Habibie went on air to announce that he had ordered Wiranto to crack down on the unrest, citing "subversive activities" that were against the constitution and the state.

A group of 22 academics, editors, lawyers, and human rights activists gathered under the "Concerned Group for Peaceful Actions" also issued a statement called for Wiranto to resign.

"The security policy implemented by defence minister/armed forces commander General Wiranto cannot be acceptable. This policy can endanger the life of the nation in the future and shift ABRI away from the people," the group said. "Therefore, we call on ... General Wiranto to immediately resign," their statement said.

The executive chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI), Hendardi, called in a separate statement for both Habibie and Wiranto to resign over the bloodshed. "PBHI demands that President Habibie and ... General Wiranto assume legal responsibility over the bloody tragedy by resigning from their posts," Hendardi said.

The Islamic Association of University Students (HMI), released a statement saying: "The government, c.q. the leader of ABRI, is fully responsible for this bloody incident. "We will seek the accountability of the government of Habibie, especially armed forces chief Wiranto and former preisdent Suharto for the various forms of violence that have been going on in this country and in East Timor," said a statement by the Women's Solidarity for Human Rights.

A demonstration by hundreds of students of the state Bogor Agriculture Institute in Bogor, some 60 kilometres (40 miles) south of here, also called on Wiranto to resign over the shooting, as did students in the central Javanese city of Yogyakarta.

In Jakarta activist Ratna Sarumpaet from the National Coalition also called on the general to quit, saying that he was responsible for the "random" violence of his forces.

Wiranto, according to military spokesman Major General Syamsu Ma'arif, has ordered an investigation into the shooting. "The situation and incident last night was outside our (normal) procedure and we will follow up this case with more extensive investigations," National Police Chief General Rusmanhadi (eds: one name) said on television. "There is no shoot-on-the-spot order, the firing order issued was only for teargas, preceeded by warning shots," Rusmanhadi said.

Ma'arif said that Wiranto had tasked Rusmanhadi and the head of the military police with probing the shooting. "To all soldiers, especially members of the police, I ask you to be capable of restraint and not to fall prey to your emotions following yesterday's incident," Rusmanhadi said.

At least 11 people died, including six students, while over 200 were injured after soldiers fired rubber bullets and tear gas on student protestors who were trying to march on parliament.