House attack in Central Java

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Hundreds of people from the village of Cipawon in Purwokerto, Central Java, have taken retaliatory action for the killing of their friend by damaging at least 15 houses in the neighboring village of Kembangan, police said.

Purbalingga Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sofyan said on Sunday the attack in Kembangan was sparked by a number of village residents who set upon a Cipawon resident, 19-year-old Kasdiyono and mobbed him to death.

The mob attack occurred after he was spotted near Kembangan in the late hours of Sunday. Suspected of having done something wrong, the residents of Kembangan then asked him what he was doing. But he just ran away, causing the residents to chase after him and mob him to death.

"The residents of Kembangan chased Kasdiyono while calling him a thief. When they caught up with him they mobbed him to death," Agus said.

On Sunday, the village heads of Kembangan and Cipawon met to discuss the dispute. (45/emf)