198 Farmers arrested in North Sumatra

The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) in Jakarta has demanded the release of unjustly arrested farmers in a plantation area in North Sumatra and the withdrawal of all troops stationed in the transmigration site there.

In a statement issued on May 19, YLBHI also called for the release of all children and elderly persons currently being held in jail.

The clash between farmers and the military arose after two farmers were arrested for taking unilateral action to harvest their crops planted on land under a plantation system. Over the next several days, other farmers and their families kept returning to the police station to demand their release.

In order to make it possible for the two men in jail to be with their families for the end of the Muslim fasting month, the community offered two Christian farmers to replace them until the situation was sorted out. All the offers and protests of the farmers were ignored.

On March 25, more than 100 people began camping outside the station. Early next morning, troops from the local military command, including members of the crack Mobile Brigade, arrived and ordered the people to leave. When they refused, security personnel began arresting people.

Several people were struck with rifle butts, and six people sustained serious injuries. Two residents are believed to have been killed and their bodies disposed of in the Aceh River. Seventeen people were in a critical condition at the Samut Police Hospital.

More people were arrested while making their way home.

A few days later, in the early hours of March 30, troops began sealing off the plantation and more people were arrested.

198 people are still in jail, including children. They have been prevented from meeting legal representatives or members of their families. Military personnel are preventing access to the plantation.

YLBHI has asked that letters of protest be sent to the commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces: MABES ABRI, Cilangkap, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
For further details regarding subscriptions and
correspondence please contact glw@greenleft.org.au

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page