(Kompas/Adhitya Ramadhan)

At least 50 employees of a gold mining company in the East Java regency of Banyuwangi have been evacuated to a safe location amid fears of further violence following a recent riot.

The employees of PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI), most of whom hail from outside the region, were escorted to safety by precinct police (Polres) following news that local residents planned to conduct a sweeping for PT BSI employees on Thursday afternoon.

"We have evacuated the employees to a secret place in Banyuwangi. They will remain there until [we ensure that] the situation in the mining area is calm," Polres Banyuwangi operational division head Comr. Sudjarwo told tempo.co.

He added that the police had mobilized more personnel to secure the area, upping the number from 400 to 1,000, with assistance from East Java Police and precinct police forces from Jember and Situbondo.

Sudjarwo warned that the police would act decisively against anyone damaging mining infrastructure owned by PT BSI.

According to earlier reports, thousands of local residents had attacked PT BSI offices and burned some heavy equipment on Wednesday until the early hours of Thursday, followed by a clash between the mob and security officers. At least four residents were shot and two police officers suffered serious injuries.

A report from tempo.co stated that the residents, who wanted the gold mine closed, were upset about a meeting with PT BSI, Polres Banyuwangi and local administration representatives at the Baru Indah Hotel on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to the attack, they had held a rally at a PT BSI office in Pulau Merah, Sumberagung village in Pesanggaran district. (kes)(+)

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