Makassar – Some 50 students from the Makassar Solidarity for Polongbangkeng Residents group staged a protest on Tuesday before the office of state plantation company PT PTPN XIV, demanding the firm return the land it has rented for years to local residents.

The students began their demonstration in front of the turnpike gate, making speeches and trying to get the public's attention, before marching to the PTPN office, which they were unable to enter because of tight security.

"We demand that the firm return the land it has rented for 27 years in Talakar to the local people," Amir Mappalawa, the protest coordinator, said.

He urged the government to revoke the business utilization permit on the land issued to PTPN, saying it was the source of conflict in Talakar.

The students regretted the brawl that occurred between police and local people in Talakar, which injured 10 people. "Stop the violence, intimidation and terror," Amir said, adding that the local police chief should be held responsible for the incident.