Bojong women demand release of protesters

Bojong women demand release of protesters

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor

Hundreds of women demonstrated on Monday to demand seven village
heads in the area help secure the release of 19 residents
detained by the Bogor Police following a violent clash at the
Bojong waste treatment facility in Bogor regency on Nov. 22.

The women also demanded the plant be permanently closed and
that the Bogor regent and district and subdistrict chiefs resign
over the clash.

"The government should prioritize the aspirations of the
people. The Bogor regency administration must remember that we,
the women, will continue to oppose the opening of the Bojong
plant," Samah, a resident, said during the protest.

She said residents had repeatedly conveyed their objections to
the opening of the plant, which they fear would damage the
environment and cause health problems.

Six people were injured on Nov. 22 when police officers opened
fire on villagers protesting the waste plant. Officers fired on
the crowd after some of the protesters attempted to vandalize the
plant.

Police charged 18 residents as suspects in the incident. Six
junior police officers have been questioned by National Police
investigators but they deny using excessive force against the
protesters.

The plant operator, PT Wira Guna Sejahtera, said it would take
at least a month to repair damage to the Rp 110 billion (US$12.23
million) facility. The incident has cost the company some Rp 8
billion.

The plant was expected to be able to handle 2,000 of the 6,000
tons of garbage produced by Jakarta every day, as well as 400
tons of garbage from Bogor regency.