Ex-estate workers, children held for resisting eviction order
Twenty-five people including four children were detained by the police this morning while resisting eviction from their homes in Ladang Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.
Malaysiakini learnt that the incident took place at about 11.30am and those detained including human rights group Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvan were taken to the Shah Alam district police headquarters.
All but three were released later. Some were released on police bail and told to report back at the police station next month while others were let off unconditionally.
When contacted, Arutchelvan said those still being held were P Krishnan, 36, K Jenson, 31 and a 16-year-old student, K Jegan.
"I don't know why [they are being detained]. But the investigation officer, Inspector Irwan, said they will be released tomorrow," he said.
Meanwhile, another social activist V Selvam claimed that the police's attempt to evict the residents was "illegal".
"There's no court order to carry out the exercise," said the activist who is with the Community Development Centre a non-governmental organisation which champions among others estate workers' rights.
This was the second attempt by the police to evict the residents, most of whom were employees of plantation giant Guthrie.
During the first attempt on June 26, police personnel had forcefully evicted 48 families from the area which is part of a township development project by Guthrie.
Having nowhere else to go, however, 24 families returned to rebuild their demolished houses.
Twenty-five people including four children were detained by the police this morning while resisting eviction from their homes in Ladang Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.
Malaysiakini learnt that the incident took place at about 11.30am and those detained including human rights group Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvan were taken to the Shah Alam district police headquarters.
All but three were released later. Some were released on police bail and told to report back at the police station next month while others were let off unconditionally.
When contacted, Arutchelvan said those still being held were P Krishnan, 36, K Jenson, 31 and a 16-year-old student, K Jegan.
"I don't know why [they are being detained]. But the investigation officer, Inspector Irwan, said they will be released tomorrow," he said.
Meanwhile, another social activist V Selvam claimed that the police's attempt to evict the residents was "illegal".
"There's no court order to carry out the exercise," said the activist who is with the Community Development Centre a non-governmental organisation which champions among others estate workers' rights.
This was the second attempt by the police to evict the residents, most of whom were employees of plantation giant Guthrie.
During the first attempt on June 26, police personnel had forcefully evicted 48 families from the area which is part of a township development project by Guthrie.
Having nowhere else to go, however, 24 families returned to rebuild their demolished houses.
Private dispute
Selvam said the police and the Shah Alam Municipal Council should not assist Guthrie to evict the residents as the matter is a private dispute between the residents and the land owner.
Despite this morning's eviction attempt, the families will continue to stay on.
When contacted later, Investigation Officer Inspector Irwan Saini confirmed that three individuals were being detained for further investigation.
He said the trio were held under Section 143 of the Penal Code for "unlawful assembly".
However, the police officer declined to comment further and said the matter should be referred to the district police chief Hussin Ismail.
Hussin could not be reached for comment.
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