Police secure sorcerer

SURABAYA: A family of five from Jambringan village in Pamekasan, Madura, are now under police protection after the local people threatened to burn down their house on charges of killing villagers through black magic.

The police, who are sheltering the family in their mosque, said yesterday they would solve the problem after discussing it with the other local authorities.

The plan to set the family's house on fire was foiled by the police.

Meanwhile the Jambringan village chief, Niman, told Antara news agency yesterday that some 58 residents had died of black magic done by the family since 1971.

He added that currently seven others are sick from the black sorcery.

Niman accused the family of conducting the sorcery, which it inherited from their parents. He said they used a certain kind of ointment in their "deadly practice." (imn)