Blind people seek protection<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): A dozen blind people, who are being trained at
\nthe Agricultural Training Center for the Blind in Cisarua
\nLembang, West Java, have approached the legislative council over
\nintimidation by residents living around the training center.<\/p>\n
Victor Banuara, the spokesperson for the blind said that
\naround 12 families of the Pasirhalang village, where the training
\ncenter is located, had arbitrarily tilled the land belonging to
\nthe training center for about one year.<\/p>\n
\"We resisted their actions. In return they blocked the
\nwaterway, causing the supply of water to the training center land
\nto stop. They claim the land belongs to them. Once they
\nchallenged us to fight and they frequently pounded on our doors
\nat night,\" Victor said.<\/p>\n
The intimidation was sparked by a dispute between the locals
\nand the Wiyata Guna foundation, which manages the agricultural
\ntraining center.<\/p>\n
The locals claimed that the foundation illegally took over the
\nownership of the land in 1973. They said the land belonged to
\ntheir ancestors.<\/p>\n
The foundation argued that according to the then Social
\nAffairs Ministry's decision, the foundation was authorized to
\ncultivate the 5.7 hectares of land for the training of the blind.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want to get involved in the land dispute. We just
\nwant the legislature to clear the problem so that we can live and
\nwork peacefully. Our training programs have been disrupted,\"
\nVictor said.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of Commission A at the legislative council
\nMaky Yuliawan said the councilors would officially ask the local
\npolice to protect the blind people from intimidation by local
\nresidents. He also said that both the foundation officials and
\nthe residents would be summoned to settle the dispute. (25\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blind-people-seek-protection-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}