39 people hurt during protest against pulp plant<\/p>\n
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): At least 39 people were injured
\nand 15 remained in hospital after being hurt during clashes
\nThursday between soldiers and 2,000 protesters over PT Inti
\nIndorayon Utama (IIU) pulp and paper plant, police said on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the North Sumatra Police Lt. Col. Amrin Karim
\ntold a media conference at his office here that 12 people were
\nstill being treated at the Tarutung hospital and the other three
\nat the Balige hospital.<\/p>\n
A doctor of the North Tapanuli Regency, M.L.C. Simorangkir,
\nhowever, claimed on Friday that at least one man died at the
\nTarutung hospital on Thursday afternoon,<\/p>\n
He said that Manuju Manurung, 30, died after being admitted to
\nthe hospital following Monday's clash at the IIU plant.<\/p>\n
"The body was taken by his family in the afternoon on Thursday
\nto his home in Lumban Kuala, Porsea," Simorangkir told The
\nJakarta Post by telephone.<\/p>\n
Simorangkir, however, did not specify the cause of Manuju's
\ndeath. He only said that the body had wounds on the waist.<\/p>\n
Lt. Col. Amrin denied on Friday that those injured were being
\ntreated for bullet wounds.<\/p>\n
Kompas daily reported that dozens of locals and students, most
\nfrom the provincial capital of Medan, were injured. It said 24 of
\n56 arrested protesters had suffered injuries from rubber bullets
\nas well as clubbing.<\/p>\n
Thousands of students and residents protested Thursday in
\nfront of the North Tapanuli district police headquarters in
\nTarutung, 280 kilometers south of Medan.<\/p>\n
They were demanding police release 79 people detained Monday
\nduring a clash when four people were reportedly shot by rubber
\nbullets as troops dispersed thousands of protesters who rioted at
\nthe IIU pulp and paper plant.<\/p>\n
In Monday's clash at the IIU plant, 40 kilometers from
\nTarutung, angry protesters damaged four cars, set 15 company
\ntrucks ablaze and vandalized or burned 23 houses and businesses.<\/p>\n
IIU is under investigation by the government to determine
\nwhether it was causing environmental damage as claimed by the
\nlocal population. Nearby residents have said the operation had
\nnot only depleted forests in the area, causing erosion and a
\ndeterioration of the water level in rivers but had also polluted
\nthe water with its waste. They also complained of air pollution
\nfrom the company, which is being audited.<\/p>\n
IIU has been the target of protests from locals and
\nenvironmental watchdogs. It began operation in 1989.<\/p>\n
Current investigation has forced the suspension of the plant's
\noperation for three months.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Semarang, Central Java, dozens of local
\njournalists grouped in the Committee of Journalists Against
\nViolence were unable to maintain their impartiality and protested
\nat the Diponegoro Regional Military headquarters against the
\nalleged military violence during the clash with students on
\nWednesday. Commander Lt.Col. Soegeng Soeryanto was annoyed and
\nsaid, "If you want to do something take off your journalists'
\nattire first." At least 54 students were injured during an anti-
\nmilitary protest at the headquarters.<\/p>\n
In Bogor, West Java, dozens of students from the Indonesian
\nMoslem Students Action took to the streets protesting the Armed
\nForces' (ABRI) dual function. They also continued protests at the
\nclashes between security forces and students in Jakarta on Nov.
\n12 and Nov. 13 that claimed 16 lives.<\/p>\n
They also demanded former president Soeharto be brought to
\ntrial for alleged rights abuses and corruption.<\/p>\n
The students sang songs and distributed flowers to passersby.
\n(21\/24\/har\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/39-people-hurt-during-protest-against-pulp-plant-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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