One more 'ninja' captured

One more 'ninja' captured

DILI, East Timor: Town residents have caught and beaten up another hooded man suspected to be a member of gangs that have been attacking and terrorizing pro-independence activists.

The 'ninja', as townspeople have dubbed members of the gang, was captured shortly before midnight in the Vila Verde area where he was sneaking into a house.

The ninja, wearing black, identified himself as Mantias, 24, a trader at the local market. The owner of the house screamed for help and the ninja was captured after running about 100 meters, eyewitnesses said.

He is the third suspected gang member who has been captured in less than a week after the rumors about the roaming ninjas have been circulating in the town for a fortnight.

The Armed Forces has denied suggestions that it controls the ninjas. (yac/pan)