Jakarta – Residents of Sritanjung village in Mesuji regency, Bandar Lampung, have urged the government to revoke the land use certificate (HGU) of a crude palm plantation company operating in the area, citing human rights violations against local farmers.

Ajar Etikana, a representative of the residents, told reporters on Wednesday that the people had urged the company, which had been operating in Mesuji regency for 17 years, to leave the area because it had continuously ignored the residents' demands to re-negotiate land arrangements.

"We were never included during the land acquisition process, and therefore have been striving for our rights since 1994 without progress. The conflict between the people and the company over the land reached a climax on Nov. 10 when the police shot dead a local farmer, Zaelani, for the sake of the company," he said during a press briefing at the Indonesian Forum for the Environment's (WALHI) headquarters in Jakarta.

During the conflict, the police also shot seven other residents, who are now undergoing medical treatment.

Bandar Lampung city police vice chairman Sr. Comr. Rusman confirmed that one farmer had been shot dead during the conflict, but refused to comment further. "The National Police have come here to investigate whether or not our members were involved in the shooting," he said.

Walhi and other organizations such as palm oil industry watchdog Sawit Watch, the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI), the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) and the Indonesian Farmers Union (SPI) are advocating for the people.