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Journalist-cum-activists found dead in North Sumatra
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T
wo journalists who mediated a protracted land dispute between local residents and an oil palm plantation were found dead in Labuhan Batu regency, North Sumatra, their bodies riddled with stab wounds.
The victims, Maraden Sianipar and Maratua P. Siregar, worked for Pilar Indonesia Merdeka (Pindo Merdeka), a Medan-based weekly and online news portal that closed down in 2017.
But the two were better known for their activism and mediating a land dispute between residents and oil palm plantation PT Sei Alih Berombang (SAB), also known as multi-business cooperative (KSU) Amalia.
The remains of Maraden were found on Wednesday in a ditch near KSU Amelia’s compound in Wonosari village, Panai Hilir district, Labuhan Batu regency. A day later, the body of Maratua – better known as Sanjay – was discovered in the same area.
Panai Hilir Police subprecinct head, Adj. Comr. Budiarto said investigators had found indications that the journalists’ deaths were related to their activism.
“[Sanjay] often advocated for the people,” he said, adding that the police have summoned six witnesses in the case.
Meanwhile, Labuhan Batu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Darojat said there was still no strong evidence connecting the homicides to the land dispute.
