Protesters set govt cars alight in Riau Islands
Protesters set govt cars alight in Riau Islands
Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Rokan Hilir
Protesters vandalized and set on fire three government cars on
Tuesday evening during a violent protest to demand that the
capital of Rokan Hilir regency, on Riau Island be moved to the
town of Ujung Tanjung from Bagan Siapi-api.
No fatalities were reported during the incident, which ended
on Tuesday evening after some 250 police personnel were deployed
to Simpang Poros area, Bagan Siapi-api, where the protest took
place.
Hundreds of protesters filled a street in Simpang Poros area
on Tuesday morning where Rokan Hilir Regent Tamsyir Hasyim was
set to meet them at 11 a.m. The meeting was part of an attempt to
resolve the protesters' demand for the transfer of the capital
from Bagan Siapi-api to Ujung Tanjung area.
However, the regent failed to turn up until the evening,
sparking anger among the protesters. As the sun set, the
protesters began to vandalize a car belonging to an official at
nearby Rimba district. The protesters later vandalized two other
cars belong to two other Rokan Hilir officials parked near the
protest site. The three cars were then pushed into the middle of
Jl. Simpang Poros and set on fire.
Hundreds of police personnel were quickly deployed to the area
and forcefully dispersed the protesters, who were all Ujung
Tanjung residents. Scuffles between the police and protesters
broke out but no fatalities or injuries were reported. The
situation was finally brought under control an hour later. Some
40 protesters were taken in for questioning, while others fled
the area, said Rokan Hilir Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wawan
Darmawan on Wednesday. During the incident, the police
confiscated 26 motorcycles, two cars and some sharp weapons
belonging to the protesters, said Wawan.
The incident followed a protest held several days ago. The
protesters argue that the town of Ujung Tanjung is located in the
middle of Rokan Hilir regency making it the logical choice for
regency capital, whereas Bagan Siapi-api is located by the beach.