Residents of the Dwikora Housing Complex in Cimanggis, Depok, say they are living in anxiety, after the Air Force stationed its guard officers at the disputed complex.

Syarki Puteh, a former Air Force officer and head of the community unit, said many residents had complained about how the guards treated them.

“[The Air Force guard officers] check the identities of everyone entering or leaving the complex,” Syarki told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

The residents said the officers treated them with suspicion, and Syarki said they were intimidated by such treatment.

Last Tuesday, shortly after midnight, almost 100 armed Air Force officers raided the complex, tearing down banners protesting the Air Force plan.

The officers also removed barricades at the complex’s main entrance that were erected by the residents, and took over a command post from patrolling residents.

Two residents were reportedly injured in the incident after refusing to leave the command post.

Since 2006, the Air Force has asked residents to leave Dwikora, which was built in 1962, saying the land belonged to the state.

The residents, mostly retired Air Force officers and their families, refused, claiming the land belonged to a person named Gerald Tugo Faber and was given to them by his heirs on Nov. 4, 2008.

Of the 114 homes at the complex, 92 are occupied by retired air force officers.

On Feb. 9, the Air Force tried to station guard officers at the complex, but failed after hundreds of residents rallied at the complex’s main entrance to prevent the officers from entering.

The residents said the Air Force’s plan to station guards was an attempt to intimidate them.

“And that’s definitely true. Ever since the raid, the guard officers have gone around visiting residents, asking about their plans to leave the complex,” Syarki said, adding the residents would only leave the complex if there was an order to do so from the Supreme Court.

“We have dedicated our lives to the Air Force for decades. How can they treat us like this?” he said.

Capt. Ronnie, the field commander of the guard officers, said his officers’ duty was only to secure the Air Force’s assets in the area.

“We are not going to harm anyone,” he said. (hwa)

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