A man was killed and a church burned down in violent clashes in Aceh Singkil on 13 October, while thousands have fled the area.
The clashes broke out after a demonstration by an Islamic youth group demanding that the local government tear down a number of churches that they claimed had been built illegally without permits. The local government agreed to demolish at least 13 churches in Aceh Singkil and force them to register for new permits to build churches. Police started tearing down the church buildings with axes and sledgehammers on the morning of 19 October.
They also decided to force the Christian community to adhere to a 1979 agreement, which stated that only one church and four chapels could be built in Aceh Singkil.
