Fishermen protest over intimidation

CILACAP, Central Java: About 21,000 fishermen from the Cilacap regency took to the streets to voice their grievance over widespread terror by gangs operating in the area, intimidating locals to sell their daily catch at rock bottom prices.

According to Atas Munandar, the Cilacap chief of the All- Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI), there were about 10 different gangs forcing people to sell fish at below market rates.

"The gangs, brandishing sharp weapons, threatened to kill the fishermen if they refused to do so," Atas said.

A catch of fish worth Rp 1 million was sold for Rp 100,000, Atas cited in one case.

"About 30 percent of the total fishermen here are now afraid to set sail," he added.

The case had been reported to the local council and to the administration, but so far there had not been any affirmative action taken, he said. (45/edt)