Demo Ends Burning Pohuwato Regent-DPRD Office, 650 Police Deployed

A number of residents witnessed the fire at the Pohuwato Regent's office in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Thursday (21/9/2023). ANTARA/HO

GORONTALO - A total of 650 police personnel were deployed to secure mass demonstrations that led to the burning of the Pohuwato Regent-DPRD office, Gorontalo Province.

The crowd that held a mass action in front of the Regent-DPRD office came from miners in Pohuwato Regency.

"There are many points of location for demonstrators, but we have divided all members for security," said Head of Public Relations of the Gorontalo Police, Kombes Pol Desmont Harjendro, Thursday, September 21, confiscated by Antara.

Harjendro said that currently the Gorontalo Police Chief is in Pohuwato Regency.

He explained that the demonstrators had damaged buildings in mining companies in the area.

"We appeal to the masses of action not to be anarchic, if it is anarchic we will take legal steps," he said.

According to him, if you want to express your aspirations, do it in a good way, not to damage facilities and infrastructure.

In addition to the damaged mining company office building, the Pohuwato Regent's office was burned and the DPRD office was damaged by the demonstrators.

The demonstrators are known to demand compensation for mining land.

Pohuwato Regency is at the western end of Gorontalo Province which borders Central Sulawesi Province, travel time from Gorontalo City takes 5-6 hours for land travel.