NGO activists beaten over Tanah Bumbu coal mining firm
Monday, May 9 2005 - 01:56 AM WIB
A hearing with the Tanah Bumbu’s Regional Legislative Council(DPRD) in South Kalimantan regarding the regency’s coal mining company Bersujud ended in a brawl when around 600 people who claimed themselves the supporters of the company entered and attacked the legislature building, the Kompas newspaper reported in its Monday edition.
During the Saturday’s brawl, they chased a number of activists from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and beat them because these activists launched a campaign to close down the coal mine.
“Just after the completion of the hearing, hundreds of people chased me and beat me,” Ridwan Hakim, the head of society empowerment of the Human Resources Development and Human Development -- a NGO -- said
At least five NGO activists were there during the hearing to oppose the coal mine. The paper did not provide further detais.(*)