Mob burns kiosks in rage over immorality

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of angry locals raided and burned 28 dimly lit kiosks which they believed had been used as prostitution dens at Sungai Tahang, Selembaran Jati village, Kosambi district here on Wednesday morning.

No fatalities or injured parties were reported in the incident which took place at about 10:30 a.m.

Police hastily tried to block the mob to prevent a blind attack and possible arson, but failed when one of the attackers slipped through the barricade, poured gasoline and set fire to one of the kiosks.

"The masses are also after the Perancis and Dadap areas (two other noted brothels spots in Tangerang)," said Gondrong, 29, a local security guard.

Teluk Naga police chief First Lt. Irianto Suandi and his men stood helplessly at the scene, watching the fire destroy the kiosks.

Only 17 out of 45 kiosks were left.

In Bogor, thousands of residents burned night spots and kiosks they believed to have been used for sex transactions in Parung on Wednesday afternoon.

The mob began at the Pendopo 45 hotel, which also functions as a dangdut discotheque. With machetes, spears and swords in their hands, the crowd first entered the hotel's parking lot and started to run amok at about 1:30 p.m.

More than 40 entertainment spots, such as discotheques, kiosks and camouflaged brothels, in the area were set ablaze by the people in about three hours.

Two fire engines were unable to reach the spots after being blocked by the residents. Security officers seemed incapable of stopping the angry locals.

According to the people, they had been fed up with the authorities' promise to close down the spots.

"They had promised to close the places on Dec. 2," the residents said.

They halted their actions after being persuaded by the City Bogor Police chief, Lt. Col. Ade Husen Kartadipura.

"You don't have to burn any more places, let the regional administration take care of them," he said.

Last week, Bogor's mayor issued an order for all operators of the night spots to temporarily close down their businesses during the Ramadhan fasting month. (41/05/21/edt/ylt)