INDONESIA

BIMA. Two people have been killed and 10 others injured during a violent protest over a planned goldmine, co-owned by an Australian company, in eastern Indonesia.

The victims were among nearly 1000 people in Lambu village in West Nusatenggara province trying to stop the goldmining project by Australia's Arc Exploration and its Indonesian partner, PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara.

The villagers fear the project will destroy their land and threaten forests and water resources.

National police spokesman Major-General Saud Usman Nasution says police were forced to fire on Saturday's protest after demonstrators burnt down dozens of government buildings, banks and homes.