Military takes over land dispute

Military takes over land dispute

SURABAYA, East Java: The local Brawijaya military command is
investigating the conflict between farmers and a local branch of
the state-owned plantation company over land status.

Brawijaya military commander Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo said on
Wednesday that his team would send the results of the
investigation to Jakarta.

"It is Jakarta that will decide on how to resolve the
conflict," he was quoted by Antara as saying on Wednesday.

The long-standing conflict between the tobacco farmers of
Jenggawah in Jember and the plantation company erupted two weeks
ago. In the series of incidents, more than 40 store houses and
offices belonging to the company were burned to the ground by the
peasants.

The farmers, who have been granted the right to till the land,
demanded that they be allowed to legally own the 2,800 hectares
of land under dispute. (pan)