Factory ransacked over water crisis

SEMARANG, Central Java: More than 1,000 villagers in Karangasem, Batang, ransacked a fish flour factory, believing that the company's waste was responsible for polluting the river which was their main source of water.

The villagers smashed computer sets, televisions and telephones in the factory office belonging to PT Seturi Agrindo. They also trashed their files and destroyed a processing machine, Antara reported.

While the villagers have long complained about the pollution in the river, the smell coming from the factory triggered the attack.

The villagers were forced to make do with water brought in by the state water company. But when it dried up, their anger flared.

The villagers said their repeated invitations to discuss the matter with the factory management were ignored. (05)