Man suffers stroke after protest

BANDUNG: Cash aid distribution for poor families again claimed a victim after head of Sukarame village's development affairs, Aang Konara, died of an apparent heart attack late Monday night after being protested by scores of residents who did not get the money.

According to Aang's wife, Wawang, the 63-year old died at around 10:30 p.m. in his house in Bojong Raya hamlet in Sukarame, Pacet in Bandung regency.

Earlier, at 9 p.m., scores of residents met with him to protest at not receiving assistance money from the government and threatened to put Aang in jail. Aung fell ill and died about an hour after the residents left.

Meanwhile, dozens of residents from Gambung hamlet have vandalize the village office of Mekarsari in Pasirjambu, Bandung regency over the same issue. Soon after, five residents were put into Pasirjambu police custody for allegedly provoking the incident.

Chief of Pasirjambu police, Adj. Comr. Hariyadi, said the residents were disappointed with statements from Mekarsari village head Nana Rukmana who said he had no authority to determine if people were entitled to receive the cash aid.

"We still keep the residents (in detention) as witnesses; a preventive measure to prevent similar incidents," Hariyadi said. -- JP