Bali firm with vendors

DENPASAR, Bali: The local administration has said it will remain firm in its decision to curb street vendors in Puputan Badung Square despite a protest involving hundreds of vendors demanding that the regulation be relaxed.

"If they want to have a stall they have to ask for a permit, but Puputan Badung Square is off limits," Denpasar Mayor AA. Puspayoga said on Monday after receiving 10 representatives of the protesters and Udayana University student Edy Setiawan in his office.

Hundreds of street vendors accompanied by several Udayana University students held a peaceful rally in the provincial council and were accepted by several legislators in the building compound.

The peaceful rally almost turned violent at one point when several men were seen trying to break into the compound. But they were immediately prevented by students, who managed to calm down the situation and avert a possible clash with police. (zen/dja)