Sand mining plan opposed

Sand mining plan opposed

TANGERANG: Hundreds of residents of Bermis village in the
district of Cisauk in Tangerang regency, complained on Saturday
of a businessman's plan to excavate sand from the village.

The mining businessman, identified as H. Koplo, had already
stationed two excavating machines in the village, even though the
village head, district chief and the village empowerment body
(BPD) chairman, as well as local residents rejected the plan at a
meeting on Thursday.

"Sand mining will cause great environmental damages to this
village, and we will lose our water sources; of course, we object
to the plan," said Endang, a resident.

Meanwhile, M. Sholeh, the BPD chairman, said that the
villagers could take the law into their own hands if the
businessman refused to listen to them.

"If he proceeds with his plan, I will not be responsible if
the residents become angry, burn the excavators and attack the
miner," he said.--JP