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)