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.