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)