JAKARTA, Feb. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Six people including three women got up to six strokes of the cane Tuesday in Indonesia's predominantly Muslim province of Aceh for gambling conviction.

    TV footage showed the female convicts dressing in white Muslim cloak were led one by one to an open podium for their punishment.

    One girl was freed from the punishment because she was too young to receive the strokes, reported Metro TV news.

    Audience shouted to help the executioner count the humiliating strokes as the convicts were grimacing in pain.

    The government last June agreed the caning punishment in Aceh as the implementation of sharia (Islamic) laws as part of greater autonomy package for once rebellious province on the northern tip of Sumatra island.

    The caning is applicable to those who "propagated beliefs other than Islam to Muslims in the province" and is aimed at upholding strict Islamic law.

    A Muslim who skips Friday prayers three times in a row without an acceptable reason would get three strokes of the cane and food stall owners who sell food, beverages or cigarettes publicly or secretly during the Muslim fasting month would receive five strokes of the cane.

    Aceh has adopted an Islamic tribunal system since late 2003. Enditem