Ancol evictions stopped temporarily

JAKARTA (JP): North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito said the mayoralty would temporarily stop demolishing Ancol residents' houses after the residents burnt two bulldozers, a city public order office patrol car and a motorcycle Saturday.

Suprawito said yesterday officials "will give them the opportunity if residents want to have more dialog with us."

The demolitions are to make way for a train facility projects under the state railway company, Perumka.

Permuka own the 4.5 hectare plot and 596 families live on it.

The mayor said residents had agreed to a compensation deal. But residents said they were swindled when officials forced them to sign blank receipts stating they got compensation. (ste)