Fruits of labor: Security officers observe a car damaged during a riot at
a shipbuilding company PT Drydocks World Graha on Batam Island.
At least 45 Indian expatriates were evacuated from
the commotion on Thursday
the commotion on Thursday
At least 45 Indian workers were evacuated from a riot at shipbuilding company PT Drydocks World Graha dockyard at Tanjung Uncang in Batam, Riau Islands province, Thursday.
Riau Island Police deputy chief Sr. Comr Bambang BS said that the 45 people were evacuated by a police patrol boat to the local police headquarters for safety reasons.
The police, he said, were still investigating the riot, which was reportedly caused by a humiliating statement by one of the Indian managers at the company, who said that Indonesians were "stupid".
Hari Ariadewa of the company's quality control unit said that the riot was sparked by a statement by an Indian supervisor, identified as Mr. Ganesh, who berated one of the Indonesian workers for making a mistake.
This statement was frequently uttered by the Indian supervisor to his subordinates, Hari said.
“The derogatory remark sparked anger among [thousands of] Indonesian workers. A riot then spread to other units,” he added.
Two of the Indian workers were seriously injured, dozens of vehicles and other facilities were set alight and a storage warehouse was destroyed.
Police deny sweeping against foreigners in Batam
Riau Islands Police denied reports of a sweeping against foreign nationals following a riot at the dockyard of shipbuilding company PT Drydock World Graha in Batam on Thursday.
"There was no such sweep. Security in Batam has been restored," Riau Islands deputy police chief Sr. Commissioner Bambang Budi Santoso said in Batam.
He said the uprising took place around the company’s shipyard only while other regions remained secure. "Do not exaggerate it. The incident only happened here," he was quoted by Antara.
Local police chief Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan said no safety measures were taken to protect foreigners working at other shipyards on the industrial island.
Angry company workers burned down four cars and vandalized 30 others during the commotion, which Leonidas said was triggered by misunderstanding.
Riau Island Police deputy chief Sr. Comr Bambang BS said that the 45 people were evacuated by a police patrol boat to the local police headquarters for safety reasons.
The police, he said, were still investigating the riot, which was reportedly caused by a humiliating statement by one of the Indian managers at the company, who said that Indonesians were "stupid".
Hari Ariadewa of the company's quality control unit said that the riot was sparked by a statement by an Indian supervisor, identified as Mr. Ganesh, who berated one of the Indonesian workers for making a mistake.
This statement was frequently uttered by the Indian supervisor to his subordinates, Hari said.
“The derogatory remark sparked anger among [thousands of] Indonesian workers. A riot then spread to other units,” he added.
Two of the Indian workers were seriously injured, dozens of vehicles and other facilities were set alight and a storage warehouse was destroyed.
Police deny sweeping against foreigners in Batam
Riau Islands Police denied reports of a sweeping against foreign nationals following a riot at the dockyard of shipbuilding company PT Drydock World Graha in Batam on Thursday.
"There was no such sweep. Security in Batam has been restored," Riau Islands deputy police chief Sr. Commissioner Bambang Budi Santoso said in Batam.
He said the uprising took place around the company’s shipyard only while other regions remained secure. "Do not exaggerate it. The incident only happened here," he was quoted by Antara.
Local police chief Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan said no safety measures were taken to protect foreigners working at other shipyards on the industrial island.
Angry company workers burned down four cars and vandalized 30 others during the commotion, which Leonidas said was triggered by misunderstanding.
