Angry villagers loot houses

SEMARANG: Hundreds of people attacked and looted houses in protest of the election of village heads in Central Java towns of Kendal and Blora on Sunday. They claim the elections were unfair.

The newly elected head of Sumberejo village in Kendal, Achmad Yulianto, said some 500 angry people damaged six houses, 30 boarding houses and a rice warehouse belonging to his relatives and supporters.

"Not only did they damage the houses, but took they away the owners' money and belongings," Achmad said, adding that he had called the police to investigate the attack.

Kendal Police chief Lt. Col. Saiful Bahri said he had identified the suspects.

In Blora, three houses and a shop were damaged and a supporter of the elected head of Buluroto village was injured. Local police chief Lt. Col. Imam Wahyudi said the police were investigating the case. (har)