Activists protest death of farmer

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)