Earthquake victims seek compensation

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Hundreds of earthquake victims in Alor regency staged a protest on Tuesday in Alor regency to urge the central government to fulfill its promises of assistance.

Earlier, the central government has promised the earthquake victims that it would pay Rp 10 million (US$1,111) compensation and provide a semipermanent house for each family that lost a home during an earthquake in the regency in November last year.

However, the promises have not been fulfilled, fueling anger among local people. As well as carrying banners and posters, the earthquake victims also blocked the road connecting Kalabahi, the capital of Alor regency, and East Alor regency.

A strong earthquake rocked the regency in November last year, claiming at least 34 lives and damaging thousands of homes. -- JP