Arya Dipa, Bandung – Traffic along the Cikampek toll road was disrupted for three hours on Thursday when some 300 farmers staged a rally at the 44 kilometer point, West Telukjambe district, Karawang regency, West Java.
"There was a traffic jam because the demonstrators blocked the toll road in both directions, going to and from Jakarta," West Java Police Traffic Police Directorate deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Prahoro Tri Wahyono, said in Bandung.
The police tried to overcome the traffic jam by diverting motorists to the artery road. "Those driving from Jakarta were diverted at East and West Cikarang toll gates to enter the artery highway through Karawan and Tanjungpura before reentering the toll road at West Karawang and Klari," Prahoro said.
Similar arrangements were made for vehicles heading to Jakarta in the opposite direction. West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Suhardi Alius said the toll road blockade, which ended at about noon, was caused by a dispute over land located far from the toll road.
"The disadvantaged party took the matter to the streets by blocking the toll road," Suhardi said, adding that it was not related to state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga.
The police chief visited the blockade point and ordered his subordinates to unblock the road. "It is alright to voice your opinions but please do not break the law and create trouble for others," Suhardi said.
West Java Vice Governor Deddy Mizwar voiced his concern over the blockade. "Demonstrations are OK but they should not disrupt the lives of others. Don't rally inside [the toll road]," he was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.
Antara reported that the farmers were disappointed after they were unable to attain land certificates for the 350-hectare plot of land they have been managing for the past 22 years. The farmers wanted the certificates to be issued as they had routinely paid the land and building tax and already possessed the Letter C titles.
The farmers' lawyer, Yono Kurniawan, said initially that the dispute was between the farmers and PT Sumber Air Mas Pratama (SAMP). Despite the conflict, PT Agung Podomoro Land (APLN) bought the land claimed by PT SAMP.
APLN corporate secretary Justini Omas told The Jakarta Post that the farmers should take legal action because there was a Supreme Court decision that ruled the 342-hectare plot of land was legally owned by PT SAMP.
APLN bought 55 percent of PT SAMP through one of APLN's subsidiaries in September 2012.
[Raras Cahyafitri contributed to this story from Jakarta.]