Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction

Blows and 'bare' tactics block planned eviction

TANGERANG (JP): The planned eviction of more than 2,000
residents of Gaga Indah subdistrict in Ciledug here yesterday was
postponed after a duel between angry residents and the driver of
the bulldozer used to demolish their houses.

Hundreds of residents had guarded their homes and blocked the
entrance road with large rocks and coconut tree trunks since
dawn, demanding that the clearance of their 11,000 square-meter
plot be delayed.

The clearance team, backed up by dozens of police and military
personnel arrived later in the morning. The bulldozer was parked
not far from the site.

The residents became angry when the bulldozer's driver was
ordered to start the engine at about noon. Several were so
emotional that they clambered into the bulldozer and hit the
driver.

They even tried to confiscate the machinery and damage it
before being driven away by the public order officers.

In support of their male residents' struggle, two housewives
striped off down to their underwear.

Other panicked people took their valuables away out of fear
that the demolition would proceed.

However, because of the vociferous opposition from the local
residents, Amsori, the leader of the clearance team eventually
ordered the driver to withdraw the bulldozer from the area.

He did not say when the team would return to proceed with the
land clearance.

Andi Suwandi, one of the residents, said the demolition plan
was sparked by a dispute between the H. Muhammad Pean and Ilyas
families over land inheritance from their ancestors.

Andi said the residents bought their land from Muhammad in
1982 at Rp 15,000 (US$1.90) per square meter.

Ilyas and his relatives, however, were not satisfied even
though they had been given money from the land sales.

"Ilyas then filed a lawsuit at the court and won the case,"
Andi said. (41/jun/hhr)