Buses taken over by locals after traffic accident<\/p>\n
Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Boyolali, Central Java<\/p>\n
Dozens of residents in Ngaru-aru subdistrict here took over three
\nbuses on Monday belonging to local bus firm PT Apollo, following
\na bus accident last week that killed a local resident.<\/p>\n
The six-hour drama began on Monday morning when dozens of
\nresidents, armed themselves with wooden sticks and iron bars,
\nstopped three Apollo buses traveling between Surakarta and
\nSemarang.<\/p>\n
The angry residents barricaded the road preventing the Apollo
\nbuses from passing by Jl. Ngaru-aru and forced the drivers to
\npull over and park on the side of the road.<\/p>\n
Paimin, one of the bus drivers, said that he had to comply
\nwith the residents' demand. "I had to surrender the bus to the
\nresidents. There were many of them and they were angry," he said.<\/p>\n
The blockade, which began at 4 a.m and ended at 12:30 p.m, was
\nwithout incident.<\/p>\n
Due to the action of the residents, some 200 passengers had to
\ntransfer to other buses, in order to continue their journey.<\/p>\n
According to Wardoyo, a local resident, the residents were
\nreacting to an accident which occurred on Oct. 24 in which an
\nApollo bus hit spouses Sarjimin, 43 and Sulastri, 45; both
\nresidents of Ngaru-aru subdistrict.<\/p>\n
Sarjimin died on the spot, while Sulastri suffered serious
\ninjuries and is still undergoing treatment at Surakarta's Islam
\nHospital.<\/p>\n
"The family of the victims have talked to the bus company and
\nthe bus driver, but after six meetings, they have not reached an
\nagreement," said Wardoyo.<\/p>\n
Frustrated by the protracted negotiations, the family and the
\nresidents managed to take over the three Apollo buses, in a bid
\nto push for their demands.<\/p>\n
Further talks were held after the incident on Monday attended
\nby the family of the victims, the Apollo management, the police
\nand the head of Ngaru-aru subdistrict.<\/p>\n
Purwito, the spokesman for the victims' family, said that the
\nApollo management were now offering Rp 15 million (US$1,875) in
\ncompensation.<\/p>\n
However, the family said that the amount was not enough.
\nBesides compensation, they also demanded the company pay the
\nhospital expenses for Sulastri, until she fully recovers.<\/p>\n
The negotiation will continue on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Boyolali Police moved the three buses to the Boyolali Police
\nHeadquarters, in order to a prevent possible attack by angry
\nresidents, said Adj. Comr. Purnomo Subagyo, an officer with
\nBoyolali Police.<\/p>",
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