Fishing firms attacked by mobs

JAKARTA (JP): Fishermen and fishing boats of PT Djarma Aru in Merauke, Irian Jaya, have of late been afraid of going out to sea after two recent brutal attacks by mobs, Arudya, chief of the company's fishing fleet said.

Arudya said in a statement sent from Merauke on Thursday that one fishing boat, MS Jala Perkasa, was attacked and torched by 30 people on Monday and its eleven crew members were still missing as of Thursday.

Two days earlier, another fishing boat, MS Kimaam 15, was also reported to have been held by a mob and the local police were still searching for the seven crew members.

"The police should take firm action immediately to stop these acts of brutality against local fishermen, otherwise local fishermen and the two major fishing companies in the regency, PT Djarma Aru and the Djajanti Group, will not be able to resume normal operations," Arudya added. (iwa)