Dili – At least eight people and possibly as many as 100 have died in attacks by pro-Jakarta militias on pro-independence supporters in East Timor, a local priest told Reuters Friday.

"From Monday to tonight, eight people have been killed," Father Hilario said by phone from Suai, 200 km southwest of the East Timor capital Dili. His comments follow similar charges by a former governor of the territory, Mario Carrascalao.

"We don't know exactly. I think more than 100 [have died]," Hilario, adding the pro-integration militias had used guns and knives. Carrascalao, quoting his own contacts in Suai, said that the fighting was continuing Friday.

The clashes come despite Thursday's cease-fire between East Timor's warring factions ahead of talks between Indonesian and Portugal in New York on the impoverished territory's future.

Human rights groups say spiraling violence in the former Portuguese colony has killed more than 40 people so far this year.

Indonesia has said it will allow the territory to go independent if it wants, after 23 years of often brutal military rule which few countries in the world recognize.