Mob attacks boarding school

BATANG, Central Java (JP): Dozens of residents of Broko village in Wonotunggal district stoned an Islamic boarding school on Friday for allegedly propagating the Islamic branch of Shia teaching.

Sgt. Maj. Joko Wiyono of Batang Police said the residents turned angry after their demand for clerics who ran the boarding school to stop their activities went unheeded.

"According to residents, Shia teaches radicalism and infringed on local customs," Joko said, adding that the protest had been lodged in the past few months.

Shia is popular among Muslim hard-liners around the world. Most of Indonesian Muslims, who make up most of the country's population, follow Sunni teaching.

At least seven people, including two police personnel, were injured from stones in the attack. The mob also ransacked a grocery, a car and the school's office.

Police arrested 14 of the attackers for questioning following the incident. (har)