Mob burns house of 'witch'

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: About 100 angry residents in Karangtengah village in Cilongok of Banyumas regency burned down on Saturday the house of a local named Muhidi Watim, 50, for allegedly practicing black magic.

No fatalities were reported in the incident as Muhidi and his family escaped the fray shortly before the arson attack.

Police said on Saturday that the mob was upset by the recent death of 20-year-old Wandi after receiving Muhidi's help a day before the attack.

"They started to make a fuss about Wandi's death and that was when somebody mentioned Muhidi's name," an officer at Cilongok Police station said.

No arrests were made following the incident, despite the police's promise to investigate the case. (45/edt)