Fitri – Hundreds of residents marched toward the Batu Layar subdistrict office in West Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday to demand that officials immediately cancel plans to split their village in two.

Armed with bamboo sticks and blocks of wood, the mob protested outside subdistrict chief Mujitahidin's office, insisting the plan would trigger new land disputes and conflicts with neighboring areas.

The demonstrators said the administration planned to divide Batu Layar village – named after the subdistrict in West Lombok – into West Batu Layar and East Batu Layar without consulting with the people.

Village chief Nur Taufik, who joined Wednesday's rally, said he believed the move was meant to increase the subdistrict's annual budget allocation by adding more constituent areas.

He claimed this was part of West Lombok district's grand plan to add 20 more villages to the existing 101 by dividing territories into smaller ones so it could receive a bigger slice of the provincial budget.

The protesters, however, argued that increased funds would only be pocketed by subdistrict officials.

"We demand accountability from the West Lombok administration," said Martadi, one of the protesters. "There has never been any agreement with the villagers in regard to this planned expansion – not even on the simple matter of where the border will be," he added.

Residents also feared that completely redrawing the village's borders would cause land disputes among property owners.

Nur said they would "block the main road leading to the Senggigi resort area until someone – preferably Mujitahidin – explains to us what is happening."

"What is being done by the West Lombok administration, particularly its chief, Zaini Arony, is an attempt to fracture our community," he said. "And our subdistrict chief [Mujitahidin], who should act as our representative, is instead neglecting our calls."