Armed robberies rife in Langkat

Armed robberies rife in Langkat

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Armed robberies and abductions are rife in waters off Sicangang subdistrict in the North Sumatra district of Langkat, causing anxiety among thousands of local fishermen.

Head of the North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Fishermens Association (HNSI) H. Nurdin said he had asked local sea security authorities to take firm action against the crimes.

"Sea security personnel must immediately put an end to and arrest those creating disturbances among the people," he said.

He said armed robberies and abductions had threatened the survival of around 14,000 poor fishermen as they were forced to abandon the sea.

"Such terror and threats threaten to destroy the source of income of local fishermen," Nurdin added.

He called on fishermen not to take the law into their own hands against robbers, arguing such a move could even create a new problem among themselves. --Antara