Illegal sand mining sites closed down

TANGERANG: Tangerang regency administration officials closed down on Tuesday two illegal sand mining sites in Ketapang and Marga Mulya villages, Mauk district, following residents' complaints.

Dody Bastaman, along with his regency public order officers who led the forcible closure of the sites, said sand mining activities in the area had damaged the environment and caused wells to dry up.

"Illegal miners have violated Bylaw No. 20/2004 on public order and security. We will continue the forcible closure of all illegal sand mining sites gradually," he said. "Besides, the miners have failed to show their permits."

Villagers visited the regent office in Tigaraksa last month, demanding the administration to halt sand mining activities in their areas.

Regent Ismet Iskandar had earlier issued a written order to the public order agency to close down illegal sand mining sites in Cisauk, Mauk, Curug, Legok and Kresek districts. -- JP