Villagers blockade KPC operation
Saturday, November 25 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
The people of the Bengalon village in East Kutai, East Kalimantan, occupied the mining site of coal mining giant PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), demanding the company to pay land compensation, the local Suara Kaltim daily reported.
The paper said that the villagers had occupied the PIT AB/Hatari mining site since Thursday by setting up tents, causing the KPC heavy equipment unable to operate. The blockade had caused disruption in the company's coal production.
The villagers said that they would continue the blockade on the 3,600 ha site until KPC pay the compensation.
East Kutai Regent Awang Faroek met the protesters on Friday and promised he would help settle the dispute with the company. (*)