Military denies abusing villagers

Military denies abusing villagers

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Commander of the 091 Military Administrative Unit Col. Sutarjo denied reports that members of the Armed Forces have mistreated 14 residents of Menamang village, Kutai regency.

The accusation, contained in a press statement issued recently by the Institute for Community Studies and Advocacy, should be examined, he said.

"The ABRI members are there in order to handle the case of villagers' seizing a number of pieces of heavy equipment belonging to a logging company," Sutarjo was quoted by Antara as saying. "They are deployed to prevent conflicts between the villagers and the PT Surya Hutani Jaua company from worsening."

Last October, residents raided the company's base camp and seized the heavy equipment, after efforts to obtain better compensation for their land failed.

The advocacy institute has charged that the mistreatment of residents took place during this investigation. (swe)