Below is a statement released by the National Liberation Party of Unity (Papernas).
Jaukak Gulton, a 66-year old farmer activist who was active in the land struggle in Mariah Hombang village in North Sumatra was found lifeless on nearby land on February 13.
The Peasant National League (STN) as well as Peasant Forum of Nagori Mariah Hombang (FNMH) firmly believe that he was assassinated due to evidence found on Gulton's body.
Scars from a sharp object were found on the back of his head, and on his lip and stomach. It appears the killer poured hot water over his body. There were burn marks on his tarsus and bruises on his feet.
Despite these facts, the police chief Rudi Hartono claimed that his death was caused by a heart attack.
The North Sumatran STN strongly believes that Gulton's active involvement in the two-year conflict over land was behind his death. Gulton had reported threats against him to the police but received no response.
Gulton's involvement in this struggle lead to him being imprisoned in 2002 and he was arrested with 16 other farmers in 2007.
Please send your protest to demand an impartial and just investigation to the Indonesia National Police Headquarter at
<info@polri.go.id>; the National commission on Human Rights at <info@komnasham.go.id>; and messages of solidarity to the STN at <serikat.tani.nasional@gmail.com>.