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)