Angry mob destroys buildings<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Angry over the results of their
\nvillage head election, hundreds of Sokawera villagers in Banyumas
\ndistrict, Central Java, vandalized the district and village
\nadministration offices on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n
The mob, made up mostly of local youths, also damaged four
\nhouses and looted a shop.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported. Local police by Wednesday had
\narrested 27 villagers, including Sudir, 43, a former village
\nhead.<\/p>\n
Banyumas Police chief Lt. Col. Johnny H. Hutahuruk said on
\nWednesday that Sudir, who lost the recent village head election,
\nwas believed to have incited the riot.<\/p>\n
\"We have detained him. The information we have is that he's
\nthe mastermind of the riots,\" Johnny said.<\/p>\n
He said the villagers ran amok to show their dissatisfaction
\nwith the election process and its result, which saw 45-year-old
\nRahmat Suwendi elected as the new village head.<\/p>\n
\"The residents rejected the result. They staged protests
\nshortly after Rahmat was inaugurated on Saturday last week,\"
\nJohnny said.<\/p>\n
The villagers reported their objections to the Banyumas
\ndistrict chief but received no response.<\/p>\n
Upset by the nonresponse, hundreds of villagers vandalized the
\noffice of the district chief on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n
The mob destroyed the office furniture, broke windows and
\ndamaged the roof of the building, Johnny said.<\/p>\n
The mob then traveled two kilometers to the Sokawera village
\nadministration office.<\/p>\n
The mob also vandalized this office, destroying furniture and
\ndocuments found in the office.<\/p>\n
The mob then destroyed four nearby houses and looted a nearby
\nshop.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere in the village was tense as rumors circulated
\nthat the mob would burn houses belonging to supporters of the
\nnewly elected village chief.<\/p>\n
According to Johnny, a joint deployment of 200 police and
\nmilitary personnel were able to halt the mob and restore order.
\n(45\/bsr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/angry-mob-destroys-buildings-1447893297",
"image": ""
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