Protests against miner claim two lives
Tuesday, December 27 2011 - 02:28 AM WIB
According to The Jakarta Post, two students, Arif Rachman and Syaiful, reportedly died Saturday as the police opened fires to the protesters who have been rallying since Dec. 19, demanding Bima Regent Ferry Zulkarnaen to revoke the company?s permit.
Hundreds of people from the People?s Front Against Mining (FRAT) blocked the road to the nearby port, disrupting shipping between Bima to the port that further connects to Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. Buses and trucks reportedly had to wait in a line that has stretched up to 3 kilometers.
Protesters also occupied Sape Seaport, the only seaport connecting West Nusa Tenggara with East Nusa Tenggara.
A clash with the police officers then ensued after attempts to disperse them failed, resulting in the death of the two students.
Police arrested 47 suspects following the incident.
Afterwards, West Nusa Tenggara Governor M. Zainul Majdi asked Regent Ferry to review the mining permit issued to SMN for Lambu and Sape districts.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto and National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to investigate the incident.
?We shall wait for the latest information from the police,? presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said as quoted by tempo.co on Sunday.
According to the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), Australian mining company Arc Exploration Ltd. is the majority shareholder of SMN. In its statement, Walhi called on the President to revoke SMN?s permit and re-evaluate the use of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police in areas with conflicts over natural resources. (*)