Makassar – Attempts by the Makassar District Court to settle a land dispute in an area consisting of 46 households on Jl. Pandang Raya, Makassar, were met with resistance on Friday, with clashes between the police and residents, who were supported by university students.

Hundreds of residents, who have lived at the location since the 1980s, blockaded the road, tossed rocks and Molotov cocktails at police officers and brandished sharp weapons. A workshop and motorcycle located close to the location was engulfed in flames from the Molotov cocktails.

Police responded by firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, causing the residents to flee as a officer from the Makassar District Court read the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Goman Wisan, who claimed the land. The houses were later demolished.

From 2009, the court has attempted to repossess the land three times, but has failed in the face of strong resistance from residents. Residents deemed the repossession wrong and some even claimed to hold land ownership titles to the land.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/13/land-repossession-makassar-turns-ugly.html