NTT Police Ensure Sebayur Island In Komodo National Park Has Been Illegal Mining-Free For A Long Time

Tourists are dense in the peak area of Padar Island. ANTARA.Kornelis Kaa

NTB - East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Polda NTT) ensures that there is no illegal gold mining activity on Sebayur Island, which is included in the Komodo National Park (TN) area of West Manggarai Regency

The Head of Public Relations of the East Nusa Tenggara Police, Kombes Pol Henry Novika Chandra, said that the NTT Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Darmoko emphasized that Sebayur Island had long been free from illegal mining activities.

"The NTT Police Chief emphasized that Sebayur Island has long been free from illegal mining activities," he said in Kupang, Tuesday, was confiscated by Antara.

Police officers, said the Head of Public Relations, have carried out field checks, and it has been confirmed that illegal mining activities or heavy equipment have not been found in locations known as gold mining locations.

Henry appealed to the public not to carry out illegal mining activities and immediately report any suspicious activities.

"The NTT Police appealed to the public to protect nature, security, and integrity of the NTT region for future generations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Manggarai Police, AKP Lutfi Darmawan Aditya, when contacted, said that he had checked the location directly and that there were only former gold mines left.

"The gold frame has been cast using cement," he said.

He said it was likely that mining activity at the site had been running since 2012 and was halted in 2014.

"Thus it proves that there is indeed illegal mining activity, but the location is a former mining site. The police will investigate this, by summoning related parties to continue the alleged illegal mining," he said.