150 students on work experience from Syiahkuala University, Banda Aceh, who have been placed in North Aceh protested against Mobil Oil Indonesia on Monday 8/3.

The students protested with banners and by making speeches demanding that Mobil Oil take full responsibility for the environment, work force, community development. The protest took place between 10.00 and 15.00.

The students were warmly received by hundreds of local people who accused Mobil Oil of cheating them over compensation for land which the company had appropriated. Padi fields were compensated at only Rp 214/meter, whilst other land was compensated at only Rp 180/meter.

Mobil Oil reaped the reward of Acehnese natural resources whereas the Acehnese people themselves continued to be cheated by Mobil. Moreover, Mobil supported DOM (military operational zone), they shouted using megaphones.

The number of people gathered blocked the road into and out of Mobil Oil offices at Point A, and Mobil Oil workers had to leave by the airstrip road.

Dozens of local people gave food and water to the students. "We have not taken part in the demonstration, but we have helped our younger brothers and sisters who are the students according to our ability, because they struggle on our behalf," said Tengku Haji Umar, one of the local residents. He also confirmed the land compensation figures to Waspada.

Public relations officer, Muslim Basyah and H Anwar Iska as well as a number of other Mobil Oil staff were not able to do very much. They said they would accept the students proposal to meet with Mobil Oil management.

After talking with the public relations people, the students left the area in an orderly fashion at around 15.00, and returned to the subdistricts where they were posted, at Lhoksukon, Syamtalira Arun, Matang Kuli, Tanah Luas and Tanah Jambo Aye.