Orders given to shoot on sight

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: West Lombok Police Chief Lt. Col. Djunaidhy has ordered his men to shoot on the spot anyone caught stealing cows.

The drastic measure was taken in response to reports that thieves have been using homemade guns to threaten people and authorities trying to apprehend them.

"In the past, they used sharp weapons to threaten people. Now, we won't hesitate to shoot them on the spot," Djunaidhy was quoted by Antara as saying on Sunday.

On Jan. 6, a 19-year-old peasant was shot dead by a thief he was trying to catch.

"That was evidence of their brutality," Djunaidhy said.

Chief of the Sekotong subdistrict Lalu Rosihan Anwar reported that last year, 30 cows worth more than Rp 18 million (US$7,600) were stolen.

Djunaidhy said that the police knew of about 30 homemade guns in the hands of criminals. The guns, he said, can be purchased for between Rp 75,000 and Rp 150,000. (pan)