Nurdin Hasan – Three people died and five were injured during a shooting in Lhokseumawe, Aceh on Sunday.

"On Sunday at 11:30 p.m. at Satya Agung Sp. Keuramat in Mbang, Geureudong Pasee, North Aceh, there was a shooting of Satya Agung employees," Adj. Comr. Kukuh Santoso, the police chief of Lhokseumawe, said on Monday. "Three people died at the site and five people suffered gun wounds. They have been evacuated to Cut Meutia hospital in Lhokseumawe."

According to a witness, there were four to five perpetrators who wore face masks and walked onto the site. "The victims were shot when they were sitting in the office canteen while asking 'where are you from' and requesting identity cards," Kukuh said. "The investigation is still ongoing."

Police have collected evidence including seven bullets and nine bullet shells from a SS-1-M16 gun.

According to Beritasatu.com, the three people who died are Sugeng, Ratno and Heri. The injured victims at Cut Meutia hospital are Apan, Samin, Erik, Misman and Ari Fandi. It is not clear whether the attack was related to political unrest in the province.

The company, Satya Agung, has a tense relationship with people living near its plantation. Last year, police shot to death one local who was accused of stealing rubber latex from the plantation.

Local media, rakyataceh.com, reported that the company has taken over local plantations with very low compensation, Rp 25,000 ($2.75) per hectare. People living around the plantation have requested that the governor not prolong the business permit of the company.

There have been some attacks in Aceh recently believed to be linked to political conditions ahead of local elections.

Earlier this month, three civilians were injured in a grenade attack targeting Wisma Lamprit guesthouse in Aceh, just two days after a similar attack took place at the campaign headquarters of Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf.