Burned By Mobs, Pohuwato Regent's Office Can't Be Used

Police lines were installed around the Regent's office which was burned in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Friday (22/9/2023). (ANTARA)

POHUWATO - The office of the regent of Pohuwato, Gorontalo, was no longer able to be used due to the burning of hundreds of miners who held a demonstration on Thursday. All parts of the regent's office were burned down. Not only that, all important documents stored at the Pohuwato regent's office were also burned down.

The Regent of Pohuwato, Saipul A Mbuinga said there were a number of government facilities that were damaged by the masses. Some of them are the regent's office, the Pohuwato DPRD office, and the regent's official residence.

"What was damaged were the regent's office, the DPRD office, and the official residence. The regent's office is no longer usable. All important documents were burned down and we will try to speed up the repair of the regent's office," said Saipul A Mbuinga, Friday, September 22.

This anarchic action was in the aftermath of the miners' frustration with the Regent of Pohuwato, Saipul A Mbuinga, who was deemed unable to solve the land problem that was already controlled by the Pani Gold Project. They urged the company to pay land compensation.

"This morning we had a meeting with the company and about 200 people will receive compensation, but the distribution was stopped because it was informed that the mass of the action would move there," explained Regent Saipul A Mbuinga.

Meanwhile, the Gorontalo Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Angesta Romano Yoyol, said that his party had increased the number of personnel at a number of points to tighten security in Pohuwato Regency.

"We have added personnel, at six points. We have added it now, with sufficient strength," said the Gorontalo Police Chief.

The Kapolda also explained that in escorting the demonstration, 10 members of the police were victims of persecution and were injured and broken bones.

Meanwhile, a number of residents involved in the anarchist act were arrested by the police.