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