Police To Break Up Port Blockade

Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara, July 1 (Antara) - The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)`s police chief, Brig. Ge. Mochammad Iriawan, said police would break up the blockade by local people of the ferry port of Poto Tano in West Sumbawa District. "I have sent a police force to end the blockade, as it is against the public interest," Iriawan said here on Monday. Hundreds of local people blocked the road to the harbor pressing their demand for the promotion of the district area into a province. The blockade brought to a halt ferry service to and from the island. The port of Poto Tano lies in the western end of the island, is the only port to link Sumbawa with the neighboring island of Lombok, 12 miles away. Normally there are 35 trips everyday between the port of Poto Tano and the port of Kayangan in eastern Lombok. There are 16 ferry ships serving the route operated by PT Jembatan Madura Indonesia (JMI), PT Atosim Lampung Pelayaran (ALP), PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, PT Jembatan Madura (JM), PT Jembatan Lautan (JL), PT Sarana Putramaster (SP), PT Dharma Lautan Utama (DLU), PT Nusa Wangi, and PT Munawar. "Police do not want to be repressive in breaking up demonstration. We are not against people staging protest but please don`t disturb the public interest," Iriawan said.