Civil service exam sparks violence

DILI, East Timor: The provincial health office here was left in a shambles on Tuesday after 100 people turned violent during a protest against the civil service entrance examination.

The protesters turned violent after they were unable to meet the head of the local health office and the head of the enrollment committee.

They were protesting the fact that they had not been accepted into the civil service despite the fact that only 60 of the 92 vacancies had been filled from the 415 candidates who sat the exam.

The protesters suspect that the remaining 32 positions were reserved for those who had used "a back door" to get in, Antara reported.

The situation calmed down only after the security forces stepped in to prevent any further damage to the office building.

The health office has yet to respond to these allegations.