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)