Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Land dispute leads to an eviction to hundred homes of families from Soge Natarmage and Goban Runut-Tana Ai tribes in Nangahale Village, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). However, they have chosen to remain among the ruins of their homes which were demolished by a church owned company, PT Kristus Raja Maumere (Krisrama) last week.
Previously, members of the Soge Natarmage and Goban Runut-Tana Ai tribes attempted to block the eviction carried out by PT Kristus Raja Maumere, a company owned by the Maumere Diocese. However, their efforts failed, and their homes and farmland were reduced to rubble by excavators.
Despite the destruction, they have opted to stay, building makeshift tents amid the debris left behind by PT Krisrama’s demolition last week. “We will remain in our demolished homes. This is our ancestral land, and we are not afraid if enforcers return,” said Soge tribal leader Ignasius Nasi, as reported by BBC News Indonesia.
The Eviction
The eviction stems from a long-standing land dispute between the indigenous community and the curch-owned company. PT Kristus Raja Maumere CEO, Father Epy Rimo, described the eviction as a ‘clearing operation,’ asserting that the company has legal rights to manage the land for coconut plantation development.
The eviction began on Tuesday (January 22, 2025) when PT Krisrama deployed hired enforcers and excavators. Accompanied by personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Sikka Police, and Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the company demolish residents’ homes and clear farmland.
The operation, led by PT Krisrama’s Executive Director, Father Robertus Yan Faroka, resulted in the destruction of more than 120 homes, drawing widespread condemnation.
Citizens Resistence
Ignasius Nasi recounted how hundreds of residents, mostly women, attempted to block the heavy machinery from tearing down their houses. But they were vastly outnumbered. Alongside the excavators, a group of men wearing headbands and wielding machetes, hammers, and crowbars allegedly hired by PT Krisrama, intimidated the residents.
Responding to the incident, Father Marten Jenarut, Secretary of the Commission for Justice, Peace, and Migrant-Pastoral Affairs at the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), emphasized that church-affiliated businesses must uphold the church’s moral values.
“The church’s social teachings uphold justice, social welfare, solidarity, human dignity, and the integrity of creation,” Father Marten stated, as reported by Inilah.com.
Maximilianus Herson Loi, Executive Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) Nusa Bunga Region, strongly condemned the eviction carried out by PT Krisrama, which is owned by the Maumere Diocese.
He further criticized the involvement of clergy members in the company’s management, arguing that ordained religious leaders should serve as protectors of their congregation rather than enforcers of evictions and criminalization. “The clergy should stand as guardians of their people against displacement and oppression,” he said.
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The dispute over land rights in Nangahale village, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) remains unresolved, leaving hundreds of families in uncertainty amid the ruins of their demolished homes. As tensions persist, calls for justice and accountability continue to mount, with advocates urging the church and authorities to prioritize human dignity and social justice in resolving the conflict.
(Raidi/Agung)
