Farmers burn 21 storehouses

Farmers burn 21 storehouses

JEMBER, East Java: Hundreds of peasants picketed the regency
office on Tuesday where their 13 representatives were questioned
by local military chief Lt. Col. Affandi on their alleged
involvement in the burning down of 21 tobacco storehouses on
Sunday.

They gathered in a show of solidarity for the delegates whom
they feared would be detained by the military on charges of
burning down the storehouses belonging to the state-owned
plantation company, PTP-27.

There was no incident. The commander promised to handle the
issue amicably and to hear "all aspirations," Antara reported.

The authorities questioned the farmers based on an eyewitness'
account that he saw a group of people set the buildings on fire
on Sunday.

Jember police chief Lt. Col. Budi Utomo theorized that the
burning of the storehouses might have to do with the land use
conflict between the peasants and the PTP-27.

He declined to give more details of the dispute. (anr)