Lampung land cases probed

BANDAR LAMPUNG: Three members of the National Commission on Human Rights are investigating five major land disputes in the province.

The disputes which involve residents and private companies seeking to appropriate land for development projects in Lampung began years ago. Land owners consider the compensation offered by the projects to be too small.

Spokesman for the commission Albert Hasibuan said the commission hopes that the problem can be solved amicably through dialog.

He said the commission will suggest ways to resolve the issue and that the parties involved should bring their conflict to court if they refuse the offer.

Albert said the commission's members have met with land owners, military officers, state officials and company managers involved in the dispute, Antara reported. (prs)