Ethnic rioting hits Bagansiapiapi

Ethnic rioting hits Bagansiapiapi

PEKANBARU, Riau: Some 16 houses were set ablaze in ethnic
rioting that erupted in the town of Bagansiapiapi in Bangko
subdistrict on Thursday night.

No casualties were reported.

Nazirwan Yunus, head of the Bangko subdistrict, said on Friday
that the rioting stopped after dozens of security personnel were
deployed to the small town.

"The situation has returned to normal and is under control,"
he said.

Nazirwan said the riot was triggered by a clash between two
youths of different ethnic backgrounds.

He said the one who lost the fight went home and returned with
friends to avenge his defeat and set fire to the house of his
rival.

"The fire spread to other houses. Police are investigating the
fire and those involved in the riot," he said. --Antara