Squatters evicted in third attempt
JAKARTA (JP): Security officers clashed with squatters as they moved in to demolish more than 300 houses and shacks, leaving more than 20 people from both sides injured in Bendungan Hilir in Central Jakarta yesterday.
The officers, in anti-riot gear, used tear gas to disperse the squatters who formed a human barricade to prevent the demolition workers from moving into their territory, the site of a recent major fire.
This is the third confrontation between security forces and squatters in nine days. This time the police moved in and took control of the disputed site on Jl. Penjernihan swiftly in what appeared to be a carefully worked out plan.
Most of the injuries sustained were light and all were immediately treated at a command post and discharged.
"Please leave this land. The government will build apartments for you," Maj. A. Sitanggang of the Central Jakarta Police Precinct told the squatters before the police moved in.
His ultimatum however went largely ignored and hundreds of squatters, including women and children, joined hands to form a 200-meter barricade to block the entrance. "We want to stay alive," they shouted. "Give us the money and we'll leave."
At around 10:20 a.m. the officers decided to move in, first using tear gas and then breaking the barricade, swiftly taking one squatter at a time.
The battle continued momentarily when several youths from a nearby railway track began pelting stones at the officers as they moved into the site.
Setting afire
Once the coast was clear, demolition workers moved in and finished the job they had began on Oct. 3. A tractor used to bulldoze the houses however was set on fire by angry squatters.
One hour earlier, Central Jakarta deputy mayor Mora Tua Simamora, led a briefing with officials and security officers at a crisis center set up next to the disputed area.
The demolition went ahead despite calls from some members of the House of Representatives for restraint and a postponement.
Yesterday's clash was the climax of the dispute that started after the 1.5 hectare slum area, which was crammed with houses, caught fire on Sept. 9.
The Central Jakarta mayoralty forbade the 465 families in the area to rebuild their homes, saying that low cost apartments will be built on the site and that they will get first priority in owning the units. The mayoralty offered Rp 400,000 ($190) to each family towards the rental of temporary housing while awaiting the completion of their apartments.
The chief contention however is over the compensation rate. The government is only offering Rp 235,000 ($107) a square meter while the squatters, who have occupied the site for over 35 years, are demanding Rp 1 million.
When negotiations broke down, the mayoralty decided to move in and demolish the houses still on the site.
"Where will I sleep tonight?" sighed Margaretha Rebong, 22, one of the evicted squatters yesterday.
Another woman, Sri Zubaidah was screaming as she resisted attempts to remove her, clinging to the foot of an officer and begging him to let her demolish her house herself.
While the event unfolded in Bendungan Hilir, one of the squatters went to the City Council yesterday pleading for help.
The man, identified as Asep, also pleaded for donations such as tents, medical supplies and food for the evicted squatters.
Councilor Djenny Suharso of the Indonesian Democratic Party called on the protesters to remain calm.
He also pledged to inquire into allegations that some of the money intended for the squatters has been embezzled by officials. (09/yns)