Anti-drug mob destroy playhouses

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of residents of Cikini in Central Jakarta ran amok and vandalized at least four buildings located behind the Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center (Planetarium TIM) on Sunday morning.

The locals suspected the center's playhouses had been used by the occupants for drug transactions.

Most of the playhouses are used as theaters by different play groups.

No fatalities were reported in the attack, but one of the four huts was reportedly burned down by the mob.

The residents initially conducted an anti-drug rally earlier in the day by marching through their subdistrict with banners and posters protesting the spread of drugs in the capital.

In front of TIM, the locals suddenly entered the compound and began to vandalize the playhouses.

Scores of artists, outnumbered by the protesters, failed to stop the damage.

Three playhouses were destroyed using machetes and sticks, while another was burned down by the mob.

A small number of police and military personnel were seen at the scene but could only watch the incident. (asa)