Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – Hundreds of angry people surrounded the office of the Timor Tengah Selatan regent Wednesday to protest marble mining he authorized near their village.

The protesters from Fatumnasi village decided to seal off the office after they were unable to meet Regent Daniel Banunaek, who gave the green light to the operation.

"The mining activities must be stopped because they are affecting the nearby environment. Local people depend entirely on farming near the mining site," Aleta Baun, the coordinator of the protest, said.

Since the regent issued a decree permitting the mining, more than 200 hectares of land belonging to the villagers has been confiscated by the administration for the operation, Aleta said.