Garbage dispute leads to brawl

Garbage dispute leads to brawl

SURABAYA: Two people were injured in a street brawl between
two groups, including public order officials, over garbage in the
Keputih area on Wednesday.

The brawl broke out after sanitation workers dumped four
truckloads of garbage at the Keputih garbage dump, which had been
"arbitrarily" closed by local residents for ten days due to the
foul odors emanating from the site.

The residents rushed out of their homes and proceeded to the
dump but were confronted by another group who were guarding the
garbage trucks, after which a brawl ensued.

Around 20 public order officials attempted to separate the two
sides and the enraged residents then turned their anger on them.

Garbage handling has become a crucial problem for the Surabaya
administration since the Keputih dump was forced to close by the
residents.

The residents have demanded Rp 30.9 billion in health
compensation for the 20 years they have lived there since the
dump first opened. (nur)