Squatters evicted in third attempt<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Security officers clashed with squatters as they
\nmoved in to demolish more than 300 houses and shacks, leaving
\nmore than 20 people from both sides injured in Bendungan Hilir in
\nCentral Jakarta yesterday.<\/p>\n
The officers, in anti-riot gear, used tear gas to disperse the
\nsquatters who formed a human barricade to prevent the demolition
\nworkers from moving into their territory, the site of a recent
\nmajor fire.<\/p>\n
This is the third confrontation between security forces and
\nsquatters in nine days. This time the police moved in and took
\ncontrol of the disputed site on Jl. Penjernihan swiftly in what
\nappeared to be a carefully worked out plan.<\/p>\n
Most of the injuries sustained were light and all were
\nimmediately treated at a command post and discharged.<\/p>\n
\"Please leave this land. The government will build apartments
\nfor you,\" Maj. A. Sitanggang of the Central Jakarta Police
\nPrecinct told the squatters before the police moved in.<\/p>\n
His ultimatum however went largely ignored and hundreds of
\nsquatters, including women and children, joined hands to form a
\n200-meter barricade to block the entrance. \"We want to stay
\nalive,\" they shouted. \"Give us the money and we'll leave.\"<\/p>\n
At around 10:20 a.m. the officers decided to move in, first
\nusing tear gas and then breaking the barricade, swiftly taking
\none squatter at a time.<\/p>\n
The battle continued momentarily when several youths from a
\nnearby railway track began pelting stones at the officers as they
\nmoved into the site.<\/p>\n
Setting afire<\/p>\n
Once the coast was clear, demolition workers moved in and
\nfinished the job they had began on Oct. 3. A tractor used to
\nbulldoze the houses however was set on fire by angry squatters.<\/p>\n
One hour earlier, Central Jakarta deputy mayor Mora Tua
\nSimamora, led a briefing with officials and security officers at
\na crisis center set up next to the disputed area.<\/p>\n
The demolition went ahead despite calls from some members of
\nthe House of Representatives for restraint and a postponement.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's clash was the climax of the dispute that started
\nafter the 1.5 hectare slum area, which was crammed with houses,
\ncaught fire on Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta mayoralty forbade the 465 families in the
\narea to rebuild their homes, saying that low cost apartments will
\nbe built on the site and that they will get first priority in
\nowning the units. The mayoralty offered Rp 400,000 ($190) to each
\nfamily towards the rental of temporary housing while awaiting the
\ncompletion of their apartments.<\/p>\n
The chief contention however is over the compensation rate.
\nThe government is only offering Rp 235,000 ($107) a square meter
\nwhile the squatters, who have occupied the site for over 35
\nyears, are demanding Rp 1 million.<\/p>\n
When negotiations broke down, the mayoralty decided to move in
\nand demolish the houses still on the site.<\/p>\n
\"Where will I sleep tonight?\" sighed Margaretha Rebong, 22,
\none of the evicted squatters yesterday.<\/p>\n
Another woman, Sri Zubaidah was screaming as she resisted
\nattempts to remove her, clinging to the foot of an officer and
\nbegging him to let her demolish her house herself.<\/p>\n
While the event unfolded in Bendungan Hilir, one of the
\nsquatters went to the City Council yesterday pleading for help.<\/p>\n
The man, identified as Asep, also pleaded for donations such
\nas tents, medical supplies and food for the evicted squatters.<\/p>\n
Councilor Djenny Suharso of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\ncalled on the protesters to remain calm.<\/p>\n
He also pledged to inquire into allegations that some of the
\nmoney intended for the squatters has been embezzled by officials.
\n(09\/yns)<\/p>",
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