Village objects to homeless camp

Village objects to homeless camp

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of homeless people have taken up
residence in Kampung Tegal Lega in Ciheuleut Bawah village ahead
of the festive season in December, prompting residents'
complaints as some have allegedly committed criminal offenses in
the area.

"People of Ciheuleut have complained that some of the
indigents have stolen laundry, cook stoves, even electronic
stuff," Opik Hidayat, 26, chief of the community, said.

Most of the homeless people have come from towns in Java such
as Sukabumi and Cianjur in West Java, Cirebon and Surakarta in
Central Java and Surabaya in East Java.

"Their presence is disturbing because they have no sanitary
facilities, disrupt public order and litter the environment," he
said, adding that the group used Cialuk river as toilet.

Local social agency chief Achmad Adjiji said the homeless
people have been living in an empty plot in the village since
1985, and their numbers have been growing ever since.

"We have tried to stop them from being beggars but their
numbers are large," he said, adding that the agency in
cooperation with local Gessang Ghosyiaary Foundation have
assisted the homeless to quit their activities and to find jobs
or go back to their hometowns. (21/edt)