MST Bulletin #7
January 11, 2002

On January, 6, some 300 families of rural landless workers took over the Cantanhede Farm, in the municipality of Matões (MA). They had been camped for 9 months on the roadside of the BR 135 highway, in the municipality of Miranda do Norte. The decision to take over the farm was made because the INCRA and the state government of Maranhão did not honor their commitment to settle within 40 days all the families evicted from Tiracanga Farm last May.

There are police forces in the area, threatening to enter the camp. Helicopters have been flying over the area, too. Until now, there is no court order of eviction, which would be carried out by the Military Police of the state's government.

The Cantanhede Farm sprawls over two areas: one of 2000 hectares (about 1000 acres), and another of 6,000 hectares. Both are considered to be unproductive by the INCRA.