Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Pasuruan – Unfinished grated cassava sits outside a small mosque in a green aluminum bowl. A military police line blocks off entrance to the area.

The mosque is a silent witness to the killing of Dewi Khodijah, 25, who died outside her nearby home after being shot in the head by marines. Dewi, who was four months pregnant, leaves behind a 3-year-old son, Lukman, and a husband, Wahid, 32.

Her father, Juma'atun, 48, has left everything as it was at the time of her death, including the grated cassava and the bowl, in Wednesday's shooting in Telogo hamlet in Alas Tlogo village, Grati subdistrict, Pasuruan regency, East Java.

The shooting by marines, triggered by a protest over disputed land, left four residents dead, not five as originally claimed by the Pasuruan regency administration.

Juma'atun said his eldest daughter was making cassava crackers for the family when she was killed. "She rarely made cassava crackers, but that day she wanted to make it for the whole family," said neighbor Sanimah, a childhood friend of Dewi's.

She recalled seeing several soldiers sitting near Dewi, who later told Sanimah the soldiers were advising her not to join protesters. Dewi followed the advice, staying at home and cooking. But still a bullet found her.

Juma'atun said he was not angry with the marine who shot his daughter.

"I just want to see the man who shot my daughter. I just want to ask him why he did it. How can they shoot people who gave them coffee and food anytime they dropped by?

"I'm not upset because my daughter will stay dead. I won't ask for compensation either because my daughter will remain dead. I just want to ask him why."

He said he would not move away from the place he has called home for more than 30 years.

But he hopes the Navy will return the disputed land to residents, to help improve their welfare. Ownership of land has been taken to the courts. The Pasuruan District Court ruled in favor of the Navy, but residents have appealed and a decision is pending.

A meeting between dozens of residents and the commander of the Navy's Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Moekhlas Sidiq, on Thursday night did not produce any significant results. The two sides did agree to meet again Monday.

Five residents who spoke during Thursday's meeting asked that the land be returned to residents. The meeting was attended by East Java Governor Imam Utomo, Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. Syamsul Mappareppa and East Java Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Sugiono.

"The land was never purchased. The land was taken by force by the Navy. My father is still alive. He's 85. He was forced to give up the land. There were no witness to the purchase," resident Solihin said.

Another resident, Bunasin, also questioned the land deal, saying villagers still had their land ownership documents. Alas Tlogo village head Imam Subnadi also said residents had their land ownership documents and the Navy never legally purchased the land.