Horizons

Episode 81

- Khanza

I immediately packed the medical equipment and took a red cross logo jacket that was always attached to the back of my work chair. Once told that local police had asked the TNI for help to secure the unrest in the mining area, Kendra immediately darted away leading her troops to the scene. This is the risk of becoming a member of the army, must be ready whenever needed. Including sacrificing holidays that are not necessarily coming.

The islands along Nusa Tenggara are a hidden treasure. In his stomach, there was a lot of gold and tin. Its rivers are known to drain no water, but precious metals and minerals whose value is millions. From end to end, investors are competing to dredge the results of natural wealth for the enjoyment of a few people.

Since hundreds of years ago, when the country was still under Dutch rule, massive looting continues. Until now, although independence has been proclaimed but Nusa Tenggara increasingly besieged by the mining industry.

The giant machines every day dredge the contents of their earth. The government seemed to close its ears to the screams of the voice of the people who could not bear to see the land continue to be hurt. Their space is limited by mining actions that spread from east to west. Natural damage happens everywhere. The living resources of society are lost forever, due to the actions of man and his unlimited greed.

I joined the ambulance to the crime scene. Kendra says riots like this have happened a lot. Disputes between local communities and the government related to mining activities that are considered detrimental to the environment become a discussion that seems to have never met the end point. Understandably, the massive looting that only a few people enjoy is a nightmare for the surrounding community, because they and their homeland are affected by environmental damage and harmful pollutants.

"Let's stay in the tent. Don't hold the TKP. Treatment love focus drops. Don't provoke action around."

That was Kendra's message before releasing me to join the medical team. He wanted me to always be careful around riots. Protests that lead to brutal are usually orchestrated by irresponsible individuals who only use a moment for their own interests. Not a few of them are paid, or carry out the mission of radical groups that seek division in the earth.

Not yet reached the emergency tent, the car we were riding was attacked with a stone throw until the front glass cracked. The driver braked suddenly, some passengers shouted in shock.

"Well.."

"What's this?"

"Please..!"

"Nobody's out. Stay in the car"

The voices of people are mutually simple. Some were panicking, some were deftly picking up any item to protect the head, and some were calling for calm.

Mbak Egi deftly made his body a shield to secure my body. One hand picked up the MAG-4 beaming gun from inside the jacket, while the eagle's eyes were already perplexing.

"Mak Egi, what's wrong?" ask me on the sidelines of the commotion and screams of panic people.

"You are calm. I asked for a little help" whispered the woman in my ear before saying something through the black object she put in her ear.

Not long after, the sound of police car sirens rang making the vandals run down the ridge from his hiding place. Some in police uniforms circled our cars on their patrol motorcycles. Ensure that it is safe for us to continue our journey. Of the many people in brown uniforms, my eyes caught a handful of people in moss-green uniforms. Kendra is not wrong anymore, one of them is Kendra.