Order restored in Purwakarta

Order restored in Purwakarta

PURWAKARTA, West Java: Order has been restored in Purwakarta after a three-day spree of violence last week, when several shops in two shopping centers were ransacked.

Chief of police Col. Suyitno said the situation in the shopping centers in Pasar Rebo and Pasar Jumat had returned to normal and that all shops were open for business.

"Police and military troops will continue to be stationed in the shopping centers for a few days," he told the Antara news agency.

The violence began when hundreds of people went on the rampage after the beating of Yulianawati, 14, who allegedly stole a packet of chocolate from a department store in the Pasar Rebo shopping center last month. She was beaten by workers of the NUS department store and suffered light injuries.

Suyitno said 63 people involved in the violence were still being interrogated by local police. During the protest, the angry mob stoned shops and cars at the two shopping centers. (rms)