Fishermen riot in Cilacap

Fishermen riot in Cilacap

CILACAP, Central Java: A riot erupted late Wednesday
involving at least 200 fishermen in the Adipala district, who
claimed waste from a plant contaminated the nearby river,
destroying thousands of fish.

A number of buildings on factory grounds of the state-run
mining company PT Aneka Tambang were destroyed. Dozens of pipes,
roof tiles and diesel machines were damaged.

Cilacap Police chief Lt. Col. Andi Lolo blamed the riot on a
lack of communication between residents and management of the
plant which processes iron ore.

"It's the residents themselves who face a loss, as the plant
employs hundreds of them," Andi told The Jakarta Post.

One of the fishermen, Sukarman, 45, said management had
ignored their urgent demands that the company cease dumping plant
waste in the river.

As of Thursday, dozens of security personnel were guarding the
company site, although no arrests were made, Andi said.

"Coastal people are determined people, we'll try approaching
them first."

Last year, thousands of Cilacap fishermen ran amok, citing low
wages from employers. (45)