Around 300 residents of Kampar, Pelalawan, in Riau, went to the Greenpeace home base on Sunday, demanding it not leave the area despite its closure by local policemen.

The residents arrived at the headquarters and announced their support for the organization to keep on protecting a peat marsh forest in the area. Devi, a 20-year old resident, said she was very sad to learn that the police had asked the activists to move from the place.

"Those who reject the organization are the ones who are influenced by companies operating here. In fact, most residents have learned a lot about forest damage ever since Greenpeace arrived," Devi told kompas.com.

On Wednesday, the police arrested the activists after they had staged a rally against Southeast Asia's largest pulp producer PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper. The security authorities also took 11 foreign activists to the immigration office for alleged visa violations.

The police then closed down the home base and gave the activists until today to leave the area, citing security reasons. (ewd)