Sep 14, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Aracruz Celulose has been target of new invasions onto its land, involving the illegal cutting of timber by Indians and members of social movements such as the MST. A total of 36 hectares of the company's land in the north of the state of Espírito Santo was affected in the last week alone, with the cutting of trees in 26 hectares of plantation, causing an estimated loss of BRL 1 million ($463 499). Far from being acts of protest, these incursions involve violence, the theft of property and the intimidation of workers. This Monday, September 11, for example, some 40 collaborators, working for the company DP, were confronted by a group of 100 demonstrators, as they were removing the eucalyptus that had been felled to block the road, and had four chainsaws stolen from them. A formal complaint was lodged at the police station in the municipality of Aracruz. Last week, thousands of trees belonging to the company were cut down. The company is pursuing its complaints within the parameters of the law, thus gaining legitimacy and the approval of society for its defense. In contrast, what has been taking place on its property reveals an open disregard for all institutions. These incursions not only put a block on new investment and hiring, but also raise questions about the future development of not just one productive sector, but of the entire country. The alleged aim of these actions is to put pressure on the ministry of justice with regard to their demand for the expansion of the 11 thousand hectare native Indian reserve in the mid-north of the state of Espírito Santo. Aracruz is confident of obtaining a favorable decision from the justice minister, since its contesting of the FUNAI report provides ample evidence to show that the company does not occupy and has never occupied native lands, that it has never expelled Indians from their lands, and that it acquired its land in a legal manner. A total of 15 thousand pages of documents, in 14 volumes, presenting the grounds for the company's arguments, was handed to the ministry.