IPB’s NU students urge govt to set up special committee on land dispute

Bogor, NU Online
Nahdlatul Ulama Student Family (KMNU) of Agriculture Institute of Bogor has urged the government and parliament to immediately set up a special committee aimed at overcoming the national land dispute.

The NU youth organization suggested, the Wednesday’s shooting of civilians by marine in Alastlogo, Lekok, Pasuruan of East Java Province killing five people and wounding scores others was a proof of the government’s failure in settling any land dispute involving grassroots. <<>;br />
“The government was not capable of overcoming the conflict. The people have been aso far oppressed for being accused of having no (land) certificate,” Chairman of IPB’s KMNU Ahmad Fathir said at a press conference here on Sunday (3/6), adding the government has most of the time easily claimed the people’s land as its.

According to Fathir, his organization has also urged the government to issue such agricultural regulations paying more attention to people interests.

KMNU expected the marines who killed at least five innocent people to be taken to the court as their action constituted a gross human rights violation where children and an expectant mother became victims.

Fathir said the apology of the Military Commander Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto dealing with the brutal action conducted by his militaries was not enough.

While, at a press conference held at the military headquarters in Jakarta several days ago, Djoko Suyanto admitted that the shooting were excessive acts against civilian and expressed a full regret.

He said that the settlement through investigation and legal process would be the right solution to the dispute between the marine and residents.

"The armed forces regrets and expresses condolences on the accidents, in which, if I am not mistaken, five people were killed, " he said.

The commander said the human right commission is welcomed to take part in the investigation.

Marine officers started shooting after villagers from Pasuruan in east Java gathered to rally against the development of land at the center of a bitter court dispute with the navy. (rif)