Masses block Polonia Airport`s entrance

The demonstrators who claimed to be members of the Sari Rejo Community Forum (Formas) arrived in buses, trucks, pickups and motorcycles at 10.30 a.m.

They blocked the airport`s entrance for nearly three hours, forcing would-be passengers to walk as far as 300 meters to reach the airport.

Formas Chairman HR Pakpahan said the rally was held to urge the local agrarian board (BPN) to issue land titles to a total of 4,272 families who had been occupying the land for nearly 50 years.

"Stop cooperation among the Air Force Base, the BPN and the Medan Municipal Administration in obstructing the issuance of land titles to residents of Sari Rejo village, Polonia Medan sub district, and in banning the construction of buildings on 260 hectares of land," he said.