40 buildings demolished

40 buildings demolished

JAKARTA (JP): Local authorities pulled down 40 structures
belonging to squatters along the Ciliwung river bank in Pejambon,
Central Jakarta, yesterday, two days before the demolition
deadline.

While the forcible demolition was still going on, the now
homeless squatters, many of whom had been living in the area for
25 years, went to the City Council and the mayoralty office,
demanding compensation for the loss of their property.

Central Jakarta Mayor Abdul Kahfi said official letters had
been sent to the squatters ordering them to move from the area in
line with the Prokasih river clean-up program. The mayoralty set
tomorrow as the deadline for the demolition.

Kahfi said that the residents had ignored the order. (32)