Factory ransacked over water crisis

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)