Tue, 04 Jul 2000

Brawl leaves 11 injured

CILACAP, Central Java: At least 11 people were seriously injured and 14 houses destroyed when about 1000 villagers from Karangsari and Karengkeniri subdistricts were involved in mass brawls, Banyumas police chief Superintendent Carel Risakotta disclosed on Monday.

Quoting the villagers, Carel said the dispute erupted after a Karangsari youth identified as Husen was beaten by Karengkeniri counterparts for unclear reasons.

Carel said residents of the two villages had frequently fought each other.

"I have deployed my personnel to calm down conflicts there," Carel said. (45)