Over 100 demonstrators protesting the issuance of mining permits vandalized the gate of the Aceh governor's office on Monday after they were banned from staging a rally inside the building's compound.

The protestors, mostly members of environmental organizations, rallied to urge the governor to revoke 120 mining permits and to close mining areas in the province.

"The presence of mining companies in Aceh has caused misery to the local people instead of improving their welfare," rally coordinator Robi said in his oration. "As a matter of fact, many of them contributed nothing to the region."

Moreover, he said, issuing the mining permits would create conflicts within the community.

The demonstrators forced themselves past a number of security guards and into the compound of the governor's office after they had earlier been denied entry. They later went to the terrace of the governor's office where they held an oration and unfurled a banner demanding the closure of the mining areas.

The group of protestors later clashed with police as they forced themselves into the governor's office. The confrontation did not last long after both demonstrators and police officers calmed down their more agitated colleagues involved in the clash.