Compensation refused

BOYOLALI, Central Java: Over 300 families have refused compensation from the local government offered five years ago for the graves of their relatives in order to make way for a giant reservoir.

The residents are demanding Rp 7,500 ($3.44) in compensation for each grave but the government refuses to increase the Rp 7,144 it has already set.

The dispute over the compensation was part of the long- standing conflict over the 5,000 hectares of land the government acquired to build the multi-purpose reservoir.

The 300 families, now living in a resettlement area provided by the local government in Kedung Mulyo and Kedung Rejo, have questioned the legality of the land titles issued by local officials.

Boyolali regent Syahrial Makgalatung has promised to investigate the claims.(har/02)