Protesters take governor hostage

PEKANBARU, Riau: Governor Saleh Djasit and Riau regents, mayors and district heads were taken hostage by hundreds of protesters who attacked the gubernatorial building here Wednesday night, Antara reported.

The hostage drama began at 9:30 p.m., when the protesters, who came from Kampar regency, demanded land from PT Pesada Inti Utama palm oil plantation. They claimed that traditionally the land belonged to the local people and demanded that every family be given two hectares of plantation land.

They turned violent after the governor and his staff, in a panic, locked all the doors in the building. The protesters, mostly youths, forced their entry into the building by breaking down the doors and windows. At 10:20 they finally made it to the meeting hall where they were met by governor Djasit.

No agreement as reached after 45 minutes talks between the governor and the protesters and one of the protesters threw a pack of rice at the governor but missed.