Alleged rapist killed by mob

BEKASI: Angry residents of Cibuntu village, Cikarang Barat, Bekasi, located alongside the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, ganged up on Tuesday evening and beat a man who was believed to have raped several women and children in the area. The unidentified man, who was only wearing a pair of shorts, died later from his injuries in a hospital.

Village head Nirin, 60, said the latest rape victim was a housewife who lived in Cijengkol village, Setu. The rape was said to have taken place at the end of October. According to the victim, the rapist wore only a green underwear.

Many women and children in the area had moved in with relatives who lived in other villages to avoid the rapist.

On Monday night, Nirin ran into a man sitting near the village rice fields who fled when he tried to question the man. The man reappeared on Tuesday afternoon. The wary residents, some of whom brought along sharp weapons, attacked and beat the man as he was passing through the village.

It is not clear whether the man really was the culprit or an innocent passerby, possibly mentally impaired. -- JP