In clashes on Rempang Island, dozens of students faint due to tear gas

Clashes between officers and residents occurred on Rempang Island, Batam. A number of residents were arrested and students at two schools were shot with tear gas. Dozens of students reportedly fainted due to tear gas.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Bentrokan di Pulau Rempang, Belasan Siswa Pingsan karena Gas Air Mata

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

Residents are carrying a student from SMPN 22 Galang who is in pain due to getting exposed to tear gas as a result of clashes between authorities and residents on Pulau Rempang, Batam, Kepulauan Riau on Thursday (7/9/2023).

BATAM, KOMPAS - Clashes between joint security forces and residents occurred on Rempang Island, Batam, Riau Islands, on Thursday (7/9/2023). The incident happened when officials were conducting land measurements related to the Rempang Eco City project. As a result of the clash, several residents were arrested and students from two schools were hit with tear gas.

One of the residents of Pulau Rempang, Sri Rusmiati (52), stated that the clash occurred after hundreds of residents intercepted the arrival of a joint apparatus from Batam at the Batam-Rempang-Galang (Barelang) IV Bridge. The apparatus arrived to escort land measurements related to the Rempang Eco City project.

According to information from a number of residents, the clash occurred after around 1,000 joint officers and dozens of armored vehicles rushed towards the community on the Barelang IV Bridge. Residents then threw stones at the officers and the authorities responded by firing water cannons and tear gas.

"I screamed and cried when I saw the authorities spraying tear gas at the school. "I was devastated when I saw a child in pain from being hit by tear gas," said Rusmiati.

Also read: Land Conflict in Rempang Tapered, Government Asked to Hear Citizens' Aspirations

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

A junior high school student from SMPN 22 Galang cried out of fear due to clashes between authorities and residents on Pulau Rempang, Batam, Kepulauan Riau, on Thursday (7/9/2023).

"There were dozens of students who fainted due to tear gas. Some others also suffered leg injuries from running through the bushes in the forest," said Nizab.

Also read: Eviction Plans That Haunt Rempang Island Residents

The clash was the result of an agrarian conflict that occurred in Pulau Rempang. The conflict began when the Batam Development Agency (BP) planned to relocate all of the residents of Pulau Rempang, totaling approximately 7,500 people. This was done to support investment development plans on the island.

On Rempang Island, an industrial, service, and tourism area called Rempang Eco City will be developed. The project, which is being carried out by PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG), is aimed to attract investments of up to Rp 381 trillion by 2080.

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

A resident displayed a tear gas canister found near SMPN 22 Galang on Rempang Island, Batam, Riau Islands, on Thursday (7/9/2023).

Through a written statement, the Head of Public Relations, Promotion, and Protocol Bureau of BP Batam, Ariastuty Sirait, stated that the clash occurred because residents first threw stones and bottles at the joint security forces who were trying to enter Rempang. According to her, the police have already arrested several residents who are suspected of being provokers of the riot.

Ariastuty mentioned that BP Batam had previously conducted socialization with residents regarding land measurement in Rempang. However, she added that residents ignored the socialization and continued blocking the road. The residents' actions forced the joint security forces to carry out forced dispersal.

Around a dozen students have fainted due to the use of tear gas. Several others also suffered injuries to their legs as they ran through the bushes in the forest.

Road blocking

As of writing this news, the situation on Rempang Island remains tense. In several areas, residents have uprooted trees and burned tires to prevent joint security forces from entering further into the traditional villages on Rempang Island.

Pulau Rempang resident figure, Gerisman Ahmad, stated that there are 16 old villages or settlements of indigenous residents on the island. The indigenous residents, consisting of Malay, Orang Laut, and Orang Darat tribes, are believed to have settled in Pulau Rempang at least since 1834.

KOMPAS/PANDU WIYOGA

Officials clean up a tree that was felled and burned by residents to block the combined security forces from entering Rempang Island, Batam, Riau Islands on Thursday (9/7/2023).

A total of 16 traditional Malay villages are at risk of being evicted due to the Rempang Eco City project. However, according to Gerisman, the project should be able to be built without evicting the traditional settlements. This is because the area of the 16 traditional settlements in Rempang is less than 10 percent of the total area of ​​the island which reaches 17,000 hectares.

Separately, National Executive Director of Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi), Zenzi Suhadi, stated that from the beginning, the people of Rempang were aware of the purpose of the land survey, which was to relocate or evict people from their customary land. BP Batam should have known that the residents would strongly reject the land survey.

"The National Strategic Program Rempang Eco City has been neglecting the voices of indigenous communities since the beginning. Therefore, we urge President Joko Widodo to take a firm stance to cancel the program," said Zenzi."