Jakarta – Scores of Indonesian students picketed the defense ministry Thursday to demand the prosecution of top officials they accuse of human rights abuses in the restive province of Aceh.

The students demanded human rights tribunals be set up to try former president Suharto, three former military chiefs – Benny Murdani, Try Sutrisno and Edi Sudrajat – and former Aceh governor and ex-food minister Ibrahim Hasan.

"Bring those criminals of military operations to trial," read a placard held up by a protester.

The estimated 150 protesters from the state University of Indonesia accused Indonesia's first president Sukarno and his successor Suharto of betraying the Acehnese. "Aceh has given so much loyalty and resources but it is continually oppressed and betrayed," they said in a statement.

The students also gave President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri three months to settle the escalating crisis in the staunchly Muslim province, or resign.