A banner by student at demonstrations (Jubi)
Jayapura, 22/1 (Jubi)- Customary land owners have disrupted activities at Science and Technology University ( UST) in Jayapura, claiming compensation for land use had not been fully settled, a student representative said.
Every year the land tenure holders demand money even though they have been paid, said John Mandibo, a student leader, told tabloidjubi.com at UST campus in Abepura, Jayapura city, Papua, (2/22)
“Students had experience being chased by the land owners. Last week the land owners threatened students with an electric saw,” John said.
John said the land owner argued that the land compensation was not fully settled.
“The university has not done anything about the land-owners’ actions. We want to learn without disruptions because we pay expensive tuition fees,” he said.
To protest the disruptions, UST students have blocked campus from Monday to Saturday ( 2/22), demanding the university to take action.
“We urge the UST rector and chairman of the Foundation Jayapura to solve the problem. If they do not respond, we will block the campus until the problems are solved,” said John.
He added, if the university management does not meet landowner’s demands, the students would ask the government of Papua province to get involved.
In separated place, Gerson Olua, team leader of customary land tenure confirmed that the compensation has been settled 90 percent and urged the college to pay the remainder.
“We’re not asking too much. We asked for 250 million rupiah only,” he said. (Jubi / Benny Mawel/ Tina)
