Vietnam war-bomb was dropped to the landless farmers in Indonesia

It has been hundred years peasant community settled and make their living in Suluk Bongkal, Riau Province. But, On 18 December 2008 the community are hunted by the drop of Napalm bomb, gun fired and tears gases. In a few minutes 700 houses were in flame. 1000 hired thugs and 500 police were burst into the crowd.

Hundred of peasant families had lived in Suluk Bongkal area for hundred years. On 1991, government issued land certificate for each villages

In 1997, Arara Abadi corporation, a company that supply raw material to Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper, Sinar mas group, were given the rights to control over the land. Since that day, Arara Abadi is not only privilege to control over Suluk Bongkal area, but also hundred thousand hectares land in Riau province, While the farmers turn to be landless.

On mid of 2007, these landless peasant affiliated to Riau Peasent Union (STR) succeed to reclaim the land. Since that day, 800 people living in that reclaimed area of Suluk Bongkal, Bengkalis, Riau.

The incident began when police tried to arrest Riza Zuhelmy, STR chairperson, the masses tried to protect their leader. Police sent other troops to manage this situation and arrest ten peasant. Unable to control the situation, police chopper flew and dropped napalm bomb to peasant settlement. While the police troops were shut rubber bullet and tears gas to disperse the masses. The situation turned into panic. Hundreds peasant are arrested. Putri, a child aged 2,6 years was scared to death and run to the jungle. She later found lifeless, sunk in the dwell. After the masses are dispersed, bulldozer came to clean the ruins, and soon after that hired thugs occupied the land. This attack are directly led by head division of criminal of Riau Police head quarter, Alex Mandalika,

On that tragedy, 700 houses are turn to ash, 200 peasant are arrested and 400 peasant are hunted and hide.

Riau Peasent Union had filed land dispute case between people and Arara Abadi corporation to the Provincial administration since 2007. On May 15 2007 ministry of forestry issued S 319/Menhut-VI/2007 said that people who has been living before 1996 (the years of Arara Abadi land concession) may stay there and the area should be excluded from concession area.

Jhony Nelsen SImanjutak from National commission of human rights found the indication of human rights violation regarding the land dispute conflict between people and Arara Abadi in three sub district. National commission is now asking for information from 100 victim.

While Nurul Huda from Arara Abadi hoping that National Commission of Human Rights should ask second opinion from the company since the company operates as a regulation from government. Currently, 200 farmers are arrested.

Help the farmers, send your solidarity, protest letter to end the human rights violation. Send the letter to

Arara Abadi fax 0761-91320
National commission of human rights +62 21 3912026
Email: info@komnasham.go.id, webmaster@komnasham.go.id
Police headquarter of Riau Province +6276120084
Send the solidarity letter to Papernas@yahoo.com, serikat.tani.riau@gmail.com

Labels: Indonesian Politics, News, Solidarity