Security asked to stop agitators

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of villagers from Rancamaya, Kertamaya, Bojong Kerta and Genteng near here asked local security officers on Monday to stop the actions of a group of men who continuously provoked people to take part in demonstrations.

In a meeting with Bogor's police and military commanders, the residents said the group had also routinely staged protests at many institutions here claiming to be acting on behalf of the local people.

The residents gave no details about the group.

They said they were worried that the group's actions might lead to a serious clash with the local villagers who wanted their villages left undisturbed.

"We're living in fear now because of this group, which intends to agitate people and has caused us to become suspicious of each other.

We here only ask for peaceful surroundings and food," said one of the villagers.

After the meeting, the residents also visited the local council.

According to Rancamaya village chief Sumarsono and Kertamaya village chief Suradi, the group also once invited residents to join a protest against the development of a plot of land in Rancamaya into a golf course and luxury housing complex.

The villagers informed the councilors that they had never asked any group or people to represent them in the Rancamaya case.

"If there is a group representing us, it's a lie," a spokesman of the residents was quoted by Antara as saying.

The news agency, however, did not reveal the attitude of the security officers or the councilors. (emf)