Scavenger homes demolished for dam project<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of North Jakarta scavengers homes were
\ndemolished yesterday and Tuesday leaving scores of people
\nhomeless.<\/p>\n
Penjaringan district public works office supervisor Henri said
\n320 illegal shacks were torn down Tuesday and yesterday to widen
\nthe Pluit dam.<\/p>\n
\"The shacks were built on land that used to be part of a dam
\nwhich was part of the flood control system,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The land, near the Pluit Mega Mall, would be cleared and used
\nas a dam again, he said.<\/p>\n
Scavengers, vendors, factory workers and fishermen lived in
\nthe shacks. Many said they were confused because temporary
\nshelters were also torn down.<\/p>\n
\"We were told we could build tents while we looked for a place
\nto stay but they tore the tents down, too,\" a noodle seller said.<\/p>\n
Residents said officials did not give them standard demolition
\norders which say residents must tear down their homes by a
\ncertain date.<\/p>\n
\"The last letter was on Nov. 25,\" said boat owner Amir. \"It
\ndid not mention a specific period.\"<\/p>\n
Residents said they would have torn down their homes if they
\nhad been properly warned.<\/p>\n
\"Usually a written notice is circulated,\" said fisherman Abas,
\nwho moved from Muara Angke when buildings there were no longer
\nallowed. \"Then we tore down our homes and could collect our
\nbuilding materials, but now I don't have anything.\"<\/p>\n
Public order officials burnt the remains after the demolition.<\/p>\n
Henri said residents were warned.<\/p>\n
Some of the residents said they were waiting for chartered
\nbuses to take them to their hometowns in West and Central Java.<\/p>\n
Others were moving household goods to nearby neighborhoods but
\nmany said they would spend the night without shelter.<\/p>\n
\"I still have some valuable planks lying around, they might be
\nstolen,\" Amir said.<\/p>\n
A few babies and their mothers were moved to nearby hospitals,
\nresidents said.<\/p>\n
Residents alleged the demolition was in an individual's
\ninterest.<\/p>\n
One resident said after the demolition he saw a man slipping
\nlarge bundles of money to another man in a municipality uniform.<\/p>\n
\"I shouted after them saying, 'So is this the way you do
\nthings?' but the man scampered away. The official didn't have his
\nname on his uniform,\" the resident said.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Public Works has undertaken several measures
\nto cope with this year's floods including repairing dams. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scavenger-homes-demolished-for-dam-project-1447893297",
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