Because of sand mining in Bekasi, landslide endangers four villages

People from Kertasari, Sumber Sari, Kertajaya and Karang Hour villages in Bekasi district, West Java, have cried for help, for the destruction of their environment because of the uncontrolled sand mining in their areas.

The sand mining activities, led by H. Yasin in the four villages have been going on for a long time, and no one is concerned about the fate of the villagers who have to suffer because of the sand mining activities, some villagers who asked not to be named said.

They said they transported about 100 truckloads of sands everyday. If the price of a truckload of sand is Rp 140,000, then the operator would get Rp 14 million a day.

However, the operator did not take care of improving road conditions in the villages. All the roads are destroyed because they are used by trucks transporting sands.

Besides, destroying roads, the mining activities have created unhealthy environment for the villagers, because such activities produce noise, dust and most of all mining pits that become dangerous lakes during rainy seasons.

Once, a villager slipped into one of the lakes, was drown and died.

Almost no government officials or law enforcers pay attention to the destruction caused by the sand mining activities in those four villages, because the operator always paid money tribute to officials and those claiming to be journalists who visited to their mining areas.

A local leader told Media that apprehension of local people against the mining activities have run high. If the government does not pay enough attention, irresponsible parties could create riots in the area as the four villages are a fertile ground to create riots. (*)