Five villagers gunned down in land dispute

Five residents of Batang Kumu village, Tambusai, Rokan Hulu, Riau, died after a clash broke out between local residents and The Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and security officers of PT Mazuma Agro Indonesia (MAI) over a land dispute.

Batang Kumu residents’ lawyer Nasir Sihotang said that the brawl erupted after four pieces of heavy equipment belonging to MAI had entered the disputed land.

“Residents protested and asked them to go away because they believe that the land is theirs,” Sihotang told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

MAI security officers, backed by ten armed South Tapanuli Brimob officers defended the machinery, prompting the deadly clash. Five residents were shot while five others were arrested by the police.

“All victims have been taken to the Pasir Pangaraian general hospital. Some of them were shot in the legs and were badly injured,” Sihotang said, adding that he had no idea of the whereabouts of the five arrested residents.

“The arrested comprise four men and a woman,” he added.

The dispute between residents and the company over a 5,800-hectare site has been ongoing since 1998. The Pasir Pangaraian District Court granted the land to the local residents, prompting the company to appeal to the Supreme Court last year.

“However, the company is still carrying out their activities there. That’s why the residents became so angry,” he said, adding that he regretted the company’s decision to involve Brimob officers.