Jakarta, IO – A deadly clash took place at PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) smelter, North Morowali regency, Central Sulawesi province, Saturday (14/1). Central Sulawesi Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Didik Supranoto said the incident killed two Indonesian workers and a foreigner, as well as injured several workers, reported CNN Indonesia, Monday (16/1).
Didik revealed that the riot was caused by the company’s security guards detaining around 500 workers who tried to enter PT GNI’s premises to carry out industrial strike after seven out of their eight demands were not fulfilled by the company.
“Because they were prevented from entering, hundreds of workers hurled stones and damaged the security office. Then they broke in from one of the gates and burned an employee dormitory to the ground,” he explained.
Didik said riot police and TNI personnel were deployed to restore order but the workers pelted the security personnel with stones.
“Then there were employees from the dump truck division who passed through the location. The striking workers immediately attacked those who did not take part in the strike, resulting in clashes that resulted in three workers killed and five vehicles damaged,” he said.
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The riot was finally brought under control after police officers separated the two groups of workers who were involved in the clash by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“69 people have been arrested in relation to the incident,” said Didik. (un)