Banda Aceh – Thirty-one people were killed by unidentified gunmen on a palm-oil plantation yesterday, according to police and separatist rebels who accused each other of carrying out the attack.

The raid on the Bumi Flora palm-oil plantation in Idi Rayeuk district in eastern Aceh coincided with the announcement by President Megawati Sukarnoputri of her new Cabinet. Many human-rights groups believe that Ms Megawati will adopt a hard line in dealing with separatism.

The attack resulted in the highest casualty toll in a single incident this year, after an assault on July 21 claimed 21 lives in Peureulak district, also in East Aceh.

Police spokesman Sad Harunantyo said 38 people were shot by the assailants whom he described as members of the Free Aceh Movement. But rebel leader Amri Abdul Wahab claimed soldiers had rounded up and machine-gunned 42 villagers.