Villagers take hostage staffs of KEM, Kutai administration

Some villagers of the Long Iram sub district, West Kutai district in East Kalimantan province, took hostage on Monday an official of gold mining firm PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM), and a staff of the local land authority because they were not included in the list of people to receive land compensation from the company.

But Long Iram sub district head Misranyah managed to persuade the villagers to release the two officials, the local Kaltim Post daily reported.

The two officials announced the list of villagers whose land had been taken by KEM and would be given compensation. The company agreed to provide the compensation after a massive blockade implemented by the villagers.

Deputy regent of West Kutai district Agustinus Markus said that he would visit the protesting villagers today (Tuesday) to seek a way out. He added that the regent had also asked KEM to review the list of the recipients of the land compensation. (*)