Anger, frustration boil over as mudflow victims square off

Police officers were forced come between two groups of mudflow victims in Sidoarjo, East Java after the groups accused one another of providing false information in efforts to receive compensation.

Police officers invited representatives from each group to a reconciliation meeting beside the main thoroughfares of Sidoarjo.

The groups clashed at the junction between Jl. KH Mukmin and Jl. Sunandar Priyo Sudarno when residents of Tanggulangin Anggun Sejahtera housing complex marched their way to the office of Team 16.

Team 16 consisted of representatives of the mudflow victims, who were assigned to convey victims' wants and needs to the authorities.

Protesters said they believed Team 16 had not made clear enough the aspirations of mudflow victims from four subdistricts in Porong.

The protesters accused the team of taking side with the government and Lapindo Brantas Inc. -- the company at the center of the mudflow disaster.

Residents also said a Team 16 member intended to make a profit from the dispute via the victim administration registration process.

"The person, for example, sold verification letters which should have been distributed free of charge," protester Hendro said.

"The person forced the residents to pay Rp 160,000 (US$17.70) each."

Hendro said Team 16 sent a letter to the bank in charge of handling the compensation payment process, state Bank Tabungan Negara, to ensure all mudflow-related communication came through Team 16 and no-one else.

"This means that Team 16 has indicated to the bank that everyone else involved in the mudflow belongs to a wild and unregistered group," Hendro said.

"That was why we marched to Team 16's office," he said.

While the residents clashed, the flow of hot mud into a nearby river had become uncontrollable.

Completely under mud was a makeshift bridge linking the village of Mindi and Besuki -- the only access for thousands of Besuki villagers to Porong street.

M. Soleh, one of the nearby villagers, packed up his belongings in fear the mudflow would soon hit his house.

"Rather than being late (to evacuate), I would rather pack my belongings," said Soleh. "But I don't know where to go..."

Source : www.thejakartapost.com