The Sihaporas Indigenous People were shot by police when they were involved in a land dispute with PT Toba Pulp Lestari or PT TPL, Monday (22/8/2022) yesterday.

The Sihaporas Indigenous People who were hit by the police shot were Juliana Siallagan (48).

According to reports, the Sihaporas Indigenous People were hit by police fire when trying to defend their land, which is now said to have been controlled by PT TPL.

"We reject (PT TPL) activities on customary lands," said Secretary of Lamtoras Jonny Ambarita.

He said that before there was a clear decision regarding this land dispute, PT TPL was not allowed to carry out any activities, including nurseries.

Jonny said he actually supports an investigation into the land which is currently being contested.

However, said Jonny, the government should have involved the Sihaporas Indigenous Community.

"We strongly agree that the (investigation team) is indeed formed. But by involving us. Of course, activities should not be carried out until there are results of verification and identification," said Jonny. The Sipahoras Indigenous People fainted and were injured

The riots between the Sihaporas Indigenous People and the joint TNI/Polri apparatus began at 12.00 WIB.

At that time, the indigenous people of the Ompu Mamontang Laut Keturnan Customary Institution Ambarita Sihaporas (Lamtoras) saw that there were 20 police cars with soldiers entering the customary area without any prior notification.

Later, 250 security forces came to the Sihaporas Indigenous People who were guarding the Buttu Pangaturan traditional area, Pamatang Sidamanik, Simalungun Regency.

When the joint officers arrived, their respective commanders, namely the Simalungun Police Chief AKBP Ronald FC Sipayung and the 0207/Simalungun Kodim Commander, Lt. Col. Hadrianus Yossi Suherman, were also present to guard their troops.

As for the reason the police and TNI came to the location of the disputed land to open the blockade of indigenous peoples and review the nursery conducted by PT TPL.

However, the residents refused before there was recognition of the Sihaporas customary territory.

The community refused, and there was encouragement between the indigenous people and the security forces.

As the atmosphere heated up, the police then fired shots into the air.

Unfortunately, somehow, suddenly the rubber bullet fired by the officer hit Juliana Siallagan's leg.

Instantly, Juliana Siallagan collapsed.

Another resident named Maulina Simbolon (34) fainted, because he was also pushed by the joint officers.

At around 15.00 WIB, the Simalungun Police and Kodim 0207/Simalungun representing the staff of the North Sumatra Governor asked for negotiations to be carried out.

During the negotiation opportunity, the police and the TNI wanted to enter the location of the disputed land, on the grounds that they wanted to visit the eucalyptus nursery owned by PT TPL.

Responding to the request, the residents were willing to give permission, provided that PT TPL was not allowed to continue nursery activities in customary areas.

Because they found a dead end, both the officers and residents were on guard at the location of the disputed land.

The Simalungun Police Chief, AKBP Ronald FC Sipayung said that his party was only limited to patrolling, after previously receiving reports of road closures by felling trees.

"After we came here, there were more than five points (road closures). We immediately cleaned them up," said Ronald.

He said that in fact his party together with the TNI and the Sihaporas Indigenous Community had four meetings related to the problem of PT TPL's nursery location.

During the meeting, the Simalungun Police had appealed to the public not to violate the law.

"Unfortunately, we found that people were closing the road with a large tree trunk crossed in the middle of the road,"

"The community continues to hold us in ambush, but we have negotiated. We ask that we can enter to carry out patrols and look inside, because this is the unitary territory of the Republic of Indonesia," said Ronald.

Regarding the community's request for indigenous peoples, said Ronald, that the local government has responded to it and progress has been made.

"We hope that the community and PT TPL will jointly maintain order and security in this area, and don't force each other's will, don't claim justification," said Ronald.

A similar statement was conveyed by the Commander of the Simalungun 02/07 Kodim, Lt. Col. Inf. Hadrianus Yossy.

Hadrianus asked the community and PT TPL not to claim each other's justifications.

According to Hadrianus, there is an institution that decides who is right (right), because this country is a state of law that must comply with the law.

"Each party should not claim to be right, because there are institutions that decide whether it is true or not, so we submit it according to the law, because our country is a state of law," said the Dandim.

Hadrianus also asked the community to support the government's program, namely going green, which is planned to be built in an industrial forest area in the PT TPL area.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Expert Staff for Political Law and Government of North Sumatra Province Binsar Situmorang said that both parties should exercise restraint.

Binsar said the public should understand the formal legality of PT TPL's agenda.

And PT TPL must also understand what the people want.

"So this is what we have to bring together both parties, in order to get the best solution," he said.