C. Java rioters surrender loot

C. Java rioters surrender loot

REMBANG, Central Java (JP): Dozens of people who rioted in
this regency recently have voluntarily relinquished their loot
under an amnesty, officials and residents said yesterday.

The villagers surrendered their booty to their respective
village or police chiefs who promised to return the goods to
their rightful owners.

Rembang Regent Wachidi Rijono said that people who voluntarily
returned their plunder and repented would not be prosecuted.

"People relinquished their loot of their own free will," he
said, adding the move was being considered as evidence that the
rioters were provoked into stealing.

"I couldn't sleep since I stole the goods in the wake of the
rioting," said a 35-year-old Kragan villager who admitted
stealing a radio and television set.

Another rioter said he decided to return his loot because he
was haunted by a guilty feeling every time he saw what he had
stolen.

Kragan and Sarang subdistricts were the worst hit in the mob
violence, sparked by dramatic increases in prices of essential
commodities, that occurred in this northern coastal regency from
Jan. 26 through Jan. 29.

Central Java Governor Soewardi said yesterday 21 suspected
rioters would be taken to court soon as a message that crime does
not pay. (har/pan)