Mob attacks govt offices

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Hundreds of residents in Buton regency attacked a Betombari district administration office in a protest over a land dispute on Thursday.

One of the residents, La Ode Zaeru, told Antara the protesters, who came from the Lipu and Katubengke subdistricts, were angry with the district chief and the Katubengke subdistrict head, who had promised residents suitable compensation for land they sold to a developer in 1996.

Katubengke subdistrict chief Arifin's office and houses belonging to the district chief and two community figures were ransacked by the mob, who also beat Arifin. Buton Police deployed officers to calm the situation.

Zaeru said residents agreed to sell 3,000 square meters of land they inherited from the Buton Sultan to help develop the neighboring town of Bau-bau. After selling their land, residents asked Arifin to relocate them somewhere suitable for their earthenware handicrafts home industry.

"We were moved to land in Wangkanapi subdistrict in Wilo Buton district, which is in fact a rocky hill," Zaeru said.

The residents have repeatedly asked Arifin to move them to a more suitable location, but received no response, according to Zaeru.

Buton Police chief Lt. Col. Kurnia said a number of the residents were being questioned in connection with the attack. (amd)