Cilacap villagers claim intimidation

Cilacap villagers claim intimidation

CILACAP, Central Java: Residents of three villages who filed
complaints with the regent and the regency legislative council
over polluting factories say they have been intimidated by local
officials.

The villagers lodged complaints earlier this week over
pollution of the Cijalu River from a battery factory and a
piggery in the Majenang subdistrict.

In response, regency officials reportedly threatened to arrest
the villagers and block their access to their sand quarrying site
unless they withdraw their complaints.

The villagers have sought help from the Yogyakarta office of
the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute.

The institute's lawyers are expected to act as intermediaries,
paving the way for talks between the villagers, the companies and
the provincial administration.

Journalists attempting to speak with regency officials for
comment over the matter yesterday had their bicycle tires
punctured.

Local military commander Col. Lintang Waluyo said he was
disappointed that officials had sought to intimidate the people.
He said he would punish any security officers involved in such
activities. (wah)