Worker killed in clash over land

Worker killed in clash over land

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A worker identified as Katon was killed and several huts burned down when hundreds of residents of Patumbak in Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra, attacked a number of workers who were building huts on land belonging to state-owned oil palm plantation PT Perkebunan Nusantara II on Thursday.

The victim, who was from West Java, died after he was stabbed in the neck by the angry mob.

Medan Police chief Sr. Comr. Badrodin said the clash occurred because both the workers and local residents had rival claims over the plantation company's land. The plantation only had authority to utilize the land for a 30-year period and the utilization right had yet to be extended.

Some of the residents said their land had been taken by force for the plantation during the New Order era.

Badrodin said the attack was made by the residents while the workers were building the huts on the land.

"We have arrested a number of suspects and the investigation is still continuing," he said. --JP