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)