Takalar – A clash between local residents and police at a sugarcane plantation in Takalar regency, South Sulawesi wounded 10 people on Sunday.

The plantation is run by the State Plantation Company (PTPN) XIV. Six of the injured people were civilians and the rest were police officers.

Witnesses said the brawl began when villagers banned PTPN XIV workers from doing their jobs at the firm's plantation in Timbuseng village, claiming that they owned the land. Police then arrived on the scene to break up the conflict.

However, the situation changed rapidly when someone threw a stone at the local residents, provoking them to respond by throwing more stones at the police.

Police then chased the residents who ran to the nearby residential areas. The residents then regrouped, returned to the plantation field and fought against the police.

PTPN XIV spokesman Bahrun said the Takalar regency administration had approved of a land usage permit for the plantation company until 2024. "So if anyone claims that they own the land, they should take legal action."