FAJAR.CO.ID, POHUWATO–A mass demonstration event led to the burning of the Pohuwato Regent’s Office, Thursday (21/09/2023).
It started when carrying out an action in front of the Pohuwato mining company office, PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera (PT PETS).
The demonstration by thousands of people from various elements, dominated by local miners, initially proceeded peacefully.
In their speeches they demanded that the company return the ancestral heritage site, which they had been working on for years.
Residents asked the company to stop mining activities. The reason is that PT PETS’ mining activities are considered to be damaging the environment and detrimental to the community.
Apart from that, the protesters also asked the mining company to provide compensation to communities affected by mining activities.
And for local governments to supervise the activities of mining companies so that they do not harm the community.
Not only asked to stop mining activities. They actually have to resolve disputes and land compensation is thought to have been worked on by the company.
Because the company ignored their demands, the protesters ended up carrying out anarchic actions. Even when the police tried to secure the action, they became the target of angry mobs.
After vandalizing the company office, the protesters then moved to the Pohuwato regent’s office. They then demanded the regent’s promise to resolve the problem.
However, when they were at the regent’s office, they were not met by anyone. Until finally the people were forced to act anarchically again and burned down the regent’s office. (GorontaloPost)