Merangin Regency-Polres Mediation Residents Blocking Bangko-Kerinci Road

The Deputy Regent of Merangin came to the road blocking location by residents at Jambi Base, Merangin to mediate, Tuesday (12/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Humas Merangin Regency Government)

JAMBI - The Merangin Regency Government, Jambi, moved quickly to mediate with residents who blocked the Bangko-Kerinci road after the Kerinci Police arrested four residents who were involved in gold mining without a permit.

Arriving at the location of the road blocking incident in Tiga Alur Village, Pangkalan Jambu District, the Deputy Regent immediately mediated with residents.

"We are trying to negotiate with residents who block this road, because from 12.00 WIB there is no bright spot. We hope this problem will be resolved quickly," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 12.

The road blocking occurred allegedly because there were residents of Pangkalan Jambu sub-district who were secured by the Kerinci Police. The residents who were arrested were suspected of having carried out gold mining activities without a permit (PETI) in the Muara Langkap Depati area, Tamiai Village, Kerinci Regency.

Of the four residents who were detained by the Kerinci Police, reportedly, three were residents of Pangkalan Jambu District, Merangin Regency. Of the three people, two of them were residents of Bungo Tanjung Village and one resident of Bukit Perentak Village.

The latest information received, the Kerinci Police and the Merangin Police have communicated.

Merangin Police Chief AKBP Ruri Roberto is currently still at the location, making efforts to dialogue with the community which also involves public stores and religious leaders as well as village officials and related parties.

"Currently we are still trying to have a dialogue with the families of four people who were secured by the Kerinci Police, we hope that the community can open a road blockade and disperse this action, because it has disturbed other road users," said the Police Chief.

Meanwhile, responding to the demands of residents who requested that the four people previously secured by the Kerinci Police be released, the Merangin Police Chief emphasized that communication with the Kerinci Police Chief was currently being carried out regarding the status of the four people.