Jakarta Governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama said on Thursday that the city administration would not give any compensation to residents evicted from the flood-prone area of Kampung Pulo, stressing that they had built their houses illegally on state land.

'€œThere is no compensation. Why do they demand compensation,'€ the governor was quoted by Antara as saying in response to the violent protest between Kampung Pulo residents and security officers.

He said that the city administration prepared low-cost apartments for the residents as compensation for the houses residents would leave behind on the banks of the Ciliwung River. '€œWe want the residents to have a proper place to live. Therefore we gave them the apartments,'€ he said.

According to Ahok, all the residents knew about the eviction plan because the city administration informed them long before the Thursday move.

Quoting Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, tribunnews.com reported that the police have arrested 27 people accused of provoking the violent protest.

Meanwhile, equipped with bulldozers, the workers continue to break down the houses at Community Unit (RW) 3 in Kampung Pulo, while water cannons and firetrucks are parked near the location.

Tito stressed that the eviction would go ahead. '€œWe are only implementing what has been instructed by the central government so that there are no longer residents occupying the Ciliwung River bank,'€ he said.

East Jakarta Mayor Bambang Musyawardana said the city administration deployed 2,150 security officers, with personnel from the City Public Order Agency, the military and the police force. (bnn)(++++)