Purworejo people refuse resettlement

Purworejo people refuse resettlement

YOGYAKARTA: Opposing official suggestions, most people living
in landslide-hit districts in Purworejo regency expressed their
reluctance to be resettled, a geologist said on Friday.

Dwikora Karnawati, leader of the geological team in charge of
briefing the residents on the relocation program, told Antara
that they turned down the offer to be relocated for various
reasons.

"After briefing Bagelen district residents, we learned that
they are unwilling to move. They said they loved living there,"
said Dwikora. "They urged the government to help them with
detailed information on how to treat the landslide-prone land."

The residents also asked what kind of vegetation to plant to
help prevent more landslides.

A landslide in Purworejo regency killed at least 50 people and
destroyed villages in three districts earlier this month.

Purworejo regent Marsaid suggested that the residents be
resettled as the areas were uninhabitable. The suggestion then
gained support from Central Java governor Mardiyanto.(sur)