JAKARTA: According to Indian police, 43 people have been detained on suspicion of inciting a riot and attacking police during protests against plans to move areas for opulent industrial parks worth several billion dollars, according to the police on Tuesday( Sep 12 ).
On Rempang area, which is about 44 kilometers from Singapore, violent scenes broke out on Monday. There, around 1, 000 protesters had gathered in front of BP Batam’s company, one of the planners for the envisioned Red Empang Eco City.
Local media images captured protesters throwing bottles and stones at police and tearing down a fencing. Officers retaliated with tear gas and water cannon.
A shop run by Taiwanese glass maker Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd., which has agreed to construct a US$ 11.5 billion crystal gravel processing plant at the park, will be located in Rempang Eco City.
According to Pandra Arsyad, the Riau Island police’s spokesperson,” We arrested them because of theft and opposing police ,” and the protesters were dispersed by late afternoon.
On Tuesday, Indian President Joko Widojo announced that as relocating payment, the government would give each resident land and a home.
However, the public was not well informed of this. So, it turned into a difficulty ,” he said, alluding to the demonstration.
According to Ariastuty Sirait, a BP Batam director, residents had lived on the land for many years and were hesitant to leave. He added that until new settlements were finished and 700 families were relocated in the first level, they may receive cash assistance.