Clash marks church anniversary

BANDUNG: A clash flared up on Friday when two disputing groups of the Protestant Christian Batak Association (HKBP) church congregations fought over the venue to celebrate the church's 65th anniversary.

At least 10 people were injured and a car was burned during the brawl pitting supporters of reverend A. Sitorus and S.L. Simanjuntak. No casualties were reported as of Friday evening.

One of Simanjuntak's followers claimed to have booked the church since May for the celebration. A mass service and a seminar titled "The Role of Christian Youth in the Society" were planned for the special day.

However, when they arrived there in the morning, the front gate was locked while around 30 Sitorus' supporters were inside attending their own seminar titled "Christian Family, Joyful Family".

The angry Simanjuntak followers started to hurl stones and plastic bottles, but their rivals fought back.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to restore order. They set up a roadblock to avoid the clash from resuming. (25/bby)