Villagers demand return of land

Villagers demand return of land

YOGYAKARTA: Dozens of residents in Kranggan hamlet in
Kulonprogo, 20 kilometers west of here, took over on Thursday two
hectares of land that has been occupied by the local military for
more than three decades, claiming the land had belonged to their
ancestors.

Led by hamlet chief Supardi, the villagers erected a wooden
plank inscribed with a notice telling people not to make use of
the plot.

Supardi said the land was seized from his ancestors by the
Japanese authorities in 1943 for a dormitory that accommodated
Indonesian paramilitary known as PETA. After independence the
government took over the land and built a women's prison there in
1947, before letting local people build houses on it three years
later.

"The government then told the residents they had to move
whenever it needed the land," Supardi said.

In 1965, the military occupied the plot and evicted the
villagers.

Supardi said the residents had written to Indonesian Military
Commander Gen. Wiranto three times, on May 10, May 20 and June 3,
this year, but no response had been given.

Local military commander Lt. Col. Murdiyo suggested the
residents take legal action, and said the military would return
the land if the court ruled so.(swa)