A video uploaded to Instagram by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), an NGO, shows what appears to be a group of Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officers and several other uniformed people kicking and hitting members of the Besipae indigenous community. They had reportedly refused to give up their customary land in Pubabu forest, which the administration had sought to claim.

Akhmad Bumi, a lawyer representing the community, said their rejection of the authorities had elicited a repressive attack. He said at least five women and children were injured in the clash. Among them was Demaris Tefa, 48, who in the video is slammed to the ground and appears to pass out. She reportedly suffered a neck injury.

"We condemn the NTT administration’s attack on the indigenous people of Pubabu Besipae,” Akhmad said in a written statement on Thursday.

Similar violence in the multiple-year dispute occurred in August when security personnel allegedly verbally and physically abused members of the indigenous community during a forced eviction where 37 families were removed from their homes.

In February and March, security personnel also reportedly forcibly evicted residents from the area.

Akhmad called on the administration to explain the issuance of usage certification rights for land the indigenous community had claimed.

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