Thu, 30 Sep 1999

Manado drivers stage strike

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Hundreds of public transportation drivers staged a strike here on Wednesday to protest against ongoing gang violence at an intercity bus terminal.

Antara reported that hundreds of people were stranded on Wednesday, while local authorities held a closed-door meeting to end the violence.

The news agency said that clashes between locals and a group of hoodlums operating at the terminal erupted on Saturday and had forced dozens of nearby shops and food stalls to close their businesses.

The reason for the clashes remained unclear.

Dozens of police and troops were seen guarding the terminal on Wednesday. (byg)