Clash in Indo Muro Kencana fails to materialize

The villagers who supported the operation of gold mining company PT Indo Muro Kencana (IMK), a subsidiary of Australian mining firm Aurora Gold, in Central Kalimantan failed to realize their threat of taking over by force the company's concession from the anti-IMK villagers, Kapos daily reported.

The paper said the police stopped the pro-IMK group from realizing their threat.

"There was a plan to take over the concession by force, but the security personnel were able to persuade the pro-IMK group from canceling the plan," local police chief Lt. Col. Sugeng SK said on Monday.

Earlier, Sukriadi, who claimed himself the coordinator of the IMK supporters, threatened to dispatch thousands of villagers to expel thousands of the anti-IMK villagers from the gold concession they had been occupying for more than a half-year.

"We are ready for physical clash," Sukriadi said on Sunday.

The IMK supporters finally decided to take the action in protest over the alleged uncooperative manner of the IMK opponents in finding solution the protracted dispute. They said IMK had done a lot to help the local people and the action of the IMK opponents had hampered the company's efforts to give more helps to the local people.

The IMK opponents have been occupying the gold concession of IMK in three districts of Betmen, Hulubai and Permata for more than a half-year, claiming that the land belonged to their ancestors and the company had not yet paid compensation for the land.

Many villagers living nearby the area however opposed to the occupation, preferring to settle the case peacefully.

Head of the Resource Management Foundation (YBSD) Andreas NJ Udang, who was accused by the IMK supporters of masterminding the occupation, played down Sukriadi's threat, calling him a bullyboy.

"Sukriadi can be called a provocateur. They (the IMK supporters) would have put themselves in danger, had they realized their threat. All the villagers have been ready (for a physical clash," Andreas said. (*)