Purwakarta locals run amok over factory pollution

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people in Purwakarta went on separate rampages on Saturday over air pollution caused by two rayon factories in the city.

Antara reported on Sunday that the mobs damaged facilities at the plants, including security guard posts, several buildings and houses belonging to executives.

Maj. Sobri Effendi, deputy chief of the Purwakarta police, said on Sunday that people living near PT Indobharat Rayon in Cilangkap and PT South Pacific Viscose in nearby Cicadas damaged facilities, including several cars, in the riots on Saturday night to protest a foul odor they claimed was emitted by the plants.

"The situation at the factory sites is now under control after security personnel were deployed to calm down the angry mobs," Sobri was quoted as saying.

The agency reported the two factories continued operation despite the rioting after hundreds of security personnel were deployed.

People also demanded the management of both plants to pay compensation for damage to their health from the plants.

Meanwhile, crowds in Surabaya set a shop-house and police station on fire on Saturday following rumors that one of two detained suspected thieves had died from police torture.

In the two-hour clash with the people who arrived in four trucks, two police officers were severely injured. Sources said the crowds were from the relatively poor area of Sambikerep, about two kilometers from the police station, who are involved in a land dispute with the developer of the luxury housing complex where the two men were caught.

Crowds tried to enter the complex, pelting the homes and shattering windows. The riot began at about 6 p.m.

The deceased was identified as Suwandi, 18, a resident of Sambikerep, who was detained with a man named Slamet.

Four cars and four motorbikes at the station near the Citra Raya residential complex were burned. Residents with small children prepared to evacuate their families and others stood guard. Dozens were arrested.

Arrested on Friday, Suwandi and Slamet were charged with burglary of a shop-house in the complex. The security guards who arrested them handed them over to the nearby Lakarsantri police precinct.

Rumors spread that Suwandi died on Saturday following torture.

Surabaya police chief Col. Alfian Anwari confirmed Suwandi's death but denied police had abused him.

"He was already in very bad shape when he was handed over to the police," Alfian said. "Maybe he was abused beforehand. Officials did everything by the book, including trying to help the victim."

Alfian hoped the public would not be incited by rumors. (rms/nur)