Saturday, July 31, 2010 08:30 AM
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Dozens of villagers from a number of villages in Ngasem subdistrict, Bojonegoro, Central Java, have blockaded the entrance gate to the Blok Cepu oil and gas production site in the adjacent Kalitidu subdistrict, requesting compensation in cash over gas poisoning from the site.
“We are prohibiting anyone passing through the entrance gate,” said villager Sapuan, as quoted by Antara state news agency on Tuesday.
The blockade was because site operator Mobil Cepu Limited had failed to pay compensation to the gas-poisoned victims, according to Antara.
As of Jan. 27, at least 326 people living near the plant had been poisoned by hydrogen sulfide from the gas and oil separation plant at the site.
Kalitidu Police chief Adj. Comr. Widjianto said he could not ban the villagers from blocking the gate. However, he promised to deploy his team to secure the location and help the opposing parties renegotiate. (nkn)
