Fri, 15 Jan 1999

'Lampung Pos' office attacked

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Dozens of people attacked the office of Lampung Pos daily on Thursday, apparently incensed by an erroneous news item, Antara reported.

The mob almost hit chief editor Bambang Eka Wijaya. They reportedly arrived in three hired buses.

The attackers decried an article which reported a home was guarded by a particular youth organization. They demanded a retraction, contending the house was guarded by another organization. The mob's affiliation was unclear although they said they came to support the house owner.

Reporters said no misidentification occurred.

A security guard was hit and sustained minor injuries to his lips, the agency reported.

Damage to the office was minor, but a glass table and pots were smashed.

The leader of the group, Andi Amir, said they had earlier requested a correction through two phone calls to editors, but it was not forthcoming.