Tension grips Pasaman after day of unrest

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Tension gripped Pasaman regency, located some 150 kilometers southwest of here, on Monday following an overnight riot involving thousands of locals in the Airgadang Simpang plantation area.

Thousands of locals stormed the plantation at 10 a.m. on Sunday, demanding a share of the land.

The police arrived at the plantation on Sunday night and attempted to disperse the crowd.

Eighteen people were injured in the incident, eight from gunshot wounds. Many more fled into the surrounding woods. Thirty-six vehicles were also vandalized in the incident.

"The officers were trying to disperse the angry crowd, but they wouldn't listen. We had no choice but to fire warning shots and throw tear gas," Pasaman Police Asst. Supt. Azwir Nasution said on Monday.

The eight shot were identified as M. Nur, Masril, Buyung Aluih, Zainul, Minur, Dawar, Sofyan and Jumadin.

Police officers have been stationed to guard the plantation, which belongs to PT Anam Koto.

As of Monday, some 500 people were reportedly still hiding in the woods hoping to escape arrest.

Earlier reports said that Malaysia-based PT Anam Koto had promised to give the locals 2,000 hectares of the plantation's land but had failed to honor its promise.

The promise was made in front of then regent Taufik Martha on July 19 last year.

Tired of empty promises, the locals staged a protest, which later turned violent.

"We hope that people will stop taking violent measures and not be so easily provoked. We can discuss the matter with the company.

"We don't need another riot," said the incumbent Pasaman regent, Baharuddin.

Sunday's protest was the second this year. The first protest was staged last month, when police officers managed to disperse the protesters with tear gas. (28/edt)