Students protest land clearance

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Dozens of students protested on Monday at the East Nusa Tenggara governor's office, slamming the Manggarai regental administration's policy of clearing coffee plantations used by local farmers, but which the regent claims was state land.

They said that Manggarai Regent Anthon Bagul Dagur should be held responsible for destroying around 1,140 hectares of coffee farms in nine subdistricts since early this month, which were the only source of income for many local farmers.

The protesters also urged the regent to step down for issuing such a policy, which they said violated Bylaw No. 1/2002 on forest management.

The move could seriously damage the ecosystem and environment, and inflict financial losses on the farmers, the argued.

"The government is surely allowed to clear land but not in this way, by seizing the farmers' livelihood," protest coordinator Richard Pentor said.

The 1,140 hectares of land covers parts of the subdistricts of Ruteng, Langka Rembong, Wae Riti, Poco Ranaka, Lamabaleda, Elar, Kota Kamba Borong and Satarmese.

The Manggarai administration claimed the land was part of state forests.

"If the claim is proven true, the clearing of the land is not a proper solution. The government should have sought other alternatives that do not victimize local farmers," Pentor said. --JP