Mob sets fire to 53 homes

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A mob burned 53 houses in Torok and Tenandon villages in Lombok Tengah district on Monday in the carryover from violence on Sunday in which three people died and a police officer was injured.

"An angry crowd set fire to the houses around dusk on Monday. But no fatalities were reported," West Nusa Tenggara Police chief Col. Sukandri was quoted by Antara as saying, adding that residents were evacuated from the villages.

The people were apparently retaliating for the deaths of law students Zainul Fauzi and L. Erlan Hamdi and police officer Sgt. Maj. Isrofi in Sunday's violence, which was allegedly committed by residents of Torok and Tenandon.

First Sgt. Setio Hartono suffered severe chest and facial injuries.

It was reported that the two police officers were searching for a motorbike thief in Torok village when residents, mistaking the two for burglars, turned on them.

The students were sleeping in their car near Torok when the residents also came upon them.

The origins of the mob in the violence on Monday remain unclear.

Police have detained 15 suspects in Sunday's violence with the investigation continuing.

Local officials and residents provided temporary shelter and food for victims of the arson. (edt)