Purwakarta locals run amok over factory pollution

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)