Activists protest death of farmer

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A horde of rights activists marched to the North Sumatra Legislative Council building on Friday to protest the death of a farmer who was allegedly shot by police during a demonstration on Wednesday.

The activists, who included Legal Aid Association (PBHI) representatives, urged the legislators to probe the death of Edy Susilo and summon the provincial police chief over the case.

A. Hidayat, spokesman for the activists, said that state plantation company PTPN II and the police must be held accountable for the fatal shooting of Edy. Hidayat had with him the shell of a bullet believed to have been used to shoot Edy.

During Wednesday's rally, Edy and hundreds of local farmers occupied a plot of land belonging to the plantation firm and burned a tobacco drying warehouse. (39/sur)