On th enclosure of churches

It is patently absurd that a spokesman can state that the Indonesian police are still "investigating" whether the blockading of two churches in Bekasi by a mob of intolerant Muslim bigots is legal.

How is it possible for any mob to blockade places of worship with total impunity? And how stupid can the police be? But Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono still said the police were reviewing whether the closures were legal.

"We are still examining whether we can remove the blockades. We can forcibly remove the blockades if we are sure that there is enough evidence that the blockaders are illegal."

Coming from the police, this statement reeks of stupidity and bias.

PAUL E. RANTAU Singapore