Kiara Payung villagers stone Pakuaji police post

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of residents of Kiara Payung village here threw stones at the Pakuaji police subprecinct office on Sunday and demanded the release of a 22-year-old man charged with the murder of his wife and brother-in-law.

No injuries were reported, but the police station suffered extensive damage.

The angry mob, who arrived on the scene by public transport at 10 a.m., lifted their siege only after the police had given a guarantee that they would free the suspected murderer, identified as Buang, as soon as he had proven his innocence.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Aryanto Boediharjo said yesterday that his personnel had started to investigate why the residents had damaged the station.

"We've not made any arrests yet," Aryanto said in reference to the stone throwing incident.

A strong team from the Tangerang Police, the police Mobile Brigade and the District Military Command were hastily dispatched to the scene to secure the area against an outbreak of rioting.

Police said that Buang, a resident of Kiara Payung, was arrested after the body of Anik, his 18-year-old wife, and her brother, Herman, 45, were found last Friday and Saturday respectively.

The two bodies were found in a rice field near the village.

Anik, whom Buang married a week ago, and Herman had both suffered a number of severe stab wounds.

During interrogation Buang admitted that he had decided to kill his wife after learning that she was not a virgin.

He told the police that he committed the crime with three accomplices.

The police information apparently differed from rumors circulating in the village.

Local residents thought the police had detained Buang without good reason, Aryanto said. (41/bsr)