Villagers protest over land dispute

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Residents of Kuanhem village, about 20 kilometers west of Kupang, protested yesterday against the alleged appropriation of their land by PT Lopo Indah Permai.

Thirteen villagers representing 17 families, led by Amtiran tribe chief Markus Amtiran, asked to meet with Governor Herman Musakabe. Told that the governor who was out of office, the protesters were received instead by deputy chairman of the provincial legislative council, Petrus Soliwoa.

Markus accused the company of grading some 80 hectare of farm land to make way for a government development project, without consulting the people who lived there.

Antara quoted Markus as saying that company representatives, local land office staff and security personnel began measuring up the land in August, despite the protests of the local people.

"I was also beaten up by a police officer and was accused of hampering government programs," Markus said.

Company spokesman Victor Armstrong said the firm bought the land in 1993 from a man named Daniel Amtiran. (swe)