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Unrest kills 20 in Aceh

Source
Reuters - August 9, 1999 (slightly abridged)

Jakarta – At least 20 people have been killed in new unrest in Indonesia's bloodied Aceh province, including 14 civilians blasted to death by grenades, separatist rebels and human rights groups said Monday.

The 14 were among 18 killed Saturday by soldiers who thought they were rebels, Legal Aid Institute official Yakob Hamzah told Reuters by telephone from the province on the northwest tip of Sumatra.

Hamzah said the victims were working as woodcutters and farmers. "They did not carry any arms," he said. Free Aceh spokesman Ismail Sahputra told Reuters 14 people were blown up by grenades. "Another four, all farmers, were shot to death by the military. None of them were Free Aceh members," he said.

In the North Aceh town of Lhokseumawe, a youth was shot dead while running down a road Saturday, Yakob said. "The youth happened to be running when the PPRM [special anti-riot taskforce] passed by, who then shot him," said Yakob. The military was not immediately available for comment.

Another victim, local journalist Supriadi, was found in North Aceh hacked to death with his head almost severed, the Jakarta Post reported Monday.

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