Lombok fishermen charge Newmont of harassment

Fishermen living near the mining site of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara in East Lombok accused the gold and copper mining company of harassment, Bali Pos reported on Friday.

In a meeting with the local regent, the fishermen complained that they were treated like criminals when they were seized recently by a security team comprising of Newmont officials and the local police for fishing in sea areas located near Newmont operation.

The fishermen said that they were not only chased but also interrogated. Some of the fishermen's belongings were also searched before being released, the daily said.

The fishermen also questioned the local administration about status of the sea located near the Newmont sites. "We really could not accept if Newmont is allowed to control the sea, which is one of most lucrative fishing areas in the location," one the fishermen told the regent.(*)