M

EDAN: Thousands of farmers ended a 10-hour occupation of the governor’s complex in Medan, North Sumatra, threatening to come back, and in greater numbers, if their demands were not fulfilled.

The farmers claimed their land was stolen by the state and private plantation companies and demanded its restoration.

Johan Merdeka, a member of the Red Coat Farmers group, said the farmers abandoned their camp due to intimidation by the police. He said he feared there would have been clashes with the police if the farmers stayed.

“The police were intimidating us. We regret that we had to leave,” he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Medan Police chief Sr. Comr. Tagam Sinaga denied that officers intimidated the farmers, claiming that the police followed standard operating procedures for protests.

“There was no intimidation. They decided to return home on their own free will,” Tagam said.