Responding to Public Complaints, Kuansing Police Destroy 48 Illegal Gold Rafts
Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Police moved swiftly to respond to public complaints regarding destructive illegal gold mining (PETI) activities on the Kuantan River. Dozens of illegal gold mining rafts were destroyed in the operation.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday (14/7), targeting five villages: Sikakak Village, Kampung Baru Village, Pulau Jambu Village, Koto Cerenti Village, and Pulau Bayur Village. The operation involved more than a dozen joint personnel from the Cerenti Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and a representative of the Cerenti Sub-district Head.
This enforcement action followed up on reports from residents of Cerenti Sub-district who were concerned about illegal gold mining activities using dompeng and stinkai equipment. Besides lacking official permits, the operation of this equipment was deemed to have damaged the river’s aquatic ecosystem and triggered environmental impacts detrimental to local residents.
‘This PETI activity along the Kuantan River flow has greatly disturbed residents. Based on the information and reports we received, today the joint team went directly to five village points to take firm action,’ said First Inspector Peri Padli in his statement.
The joint team combed through the locations suspected of being illegal mining sites one by one. As a result of the search, police found a total of 48 dompeng raft units, some in operation and others abandoned by their owners on the riverbank.
To provide a deterrent effect and ensure the illegal equipment could not be used again, officers took decisive action on the spot. ‘All the dompeng mining rafts we found were immediately subjected to legal action by being damaged and burned at the location. A total of 48 rafts were completely destroyed so they can no longer operate,’ he added.
Despite successfully disabling dozens of illegal mining facilities, officers did not find any perpetrators or dompeng workers. The police stated that no physical evidence was brought to the Sector Police headquarters because all facilities were completely destroyed at the scene.
The Kuansing Police confirmed that the entire enforcement process proceeded safely, orderly, and conducively without any resistance from any party. The police also urged the public to continue proactively reporting any form of illegal activity that damages the environment to realise a safe and well-preserved Kuansing region.