Protesters seek fishermen's release, attack council
Protesters seek fishermen's release, attack council
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan
A rally at the provincial legislature to demand the release of 22
detained fishermen, including youths, ended in violence on
Wednesday as the protesters vandalized two faction sign boards
outside the legislative council building.
No arrests were made following the unruly protest, which very
nearly erupted into a clash with security troops.
The act of violence came after no legislators turned up to
talk to the demonstrators, who were grouped in the Pillar for
Fishermen Struggle (Asura).
The leader of the protesters, Budiman Dharmawan, said that the
group of fishermen rallied to urge both the legislators and the
police to stop the rampant violence committed by trawler owners
and businessmen on poor fishermen.
"The burning of the trawlers by fishermen on Apr. 25,
reflected the peak of our frustration and anger of the lackluster
efforts by the authorities to take action against trawlers," Budi
said.
He said traditional fishermen were unable to reel in very much
fish this season due to the trawlers, which use huge nets and
bring in very large catches, that ply the waters off of North
Sumatra.
"We just want these fishermen, particularly those who are
underaged, to be released," Budi said.
Frustrated fishermen burned three trawlers and were about to
set another on fire in Sei Berombang on April 25 to protest the
rampant operation of trawlers. Armed officers from the Air and
Sea Police (Airud) arrived and started to shoot warning shots to
disperse the protesters.
A boat of a fishermen was hit by one of the warning shots in
the incident and the fishermen were forced to dive for cover into
the water, but the Airud officers continued shooting to disperse
the angry fishermen.
During that incident, an Air and Sea Police officer, First.
Sgt. Safrijon, 37, fell into the water and drowned.
The detained fishermen included children aged between 10 years
and 14 years old.
North Sumatra council deputy speaker Hasrul Azwar regretted
the violent rally on Wednesday. "This was an abuse, and so
unnecessary," Hasrul told The Jakarta Post.
He said no legislators appeared for dialogs with the
protesting fishermen as members of the legislature were visiting
several regencies to observe projects which were funded by the
provincial budget.
"That's why we could not meet and talk with them. But we are
ready to receive them anytime after we return from the working
visits," he said.