Police visit invokes clash

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A visit made by a police officer to a 25-year-old woman named Karti ended in a brawl involving hundreds of people, injuring five police officers and dozens of residents.

The clash began when residents of Sidaurip village were "disturbed" on Saturday night upon knowing that a man, identified as Second Sgt. Ashari, was visiting Karti, whose husband was working in Saudi Arabia at the time.

Crowds raided the house, threw Ashari out and took his motorbike. Soon after the incident, Ashari went back with 16 other policemen and a brawl with the residents ensued.

Cilacap Police chief Lt. Col. Andi Lolo said the matter was settled peacefully. (45/edt)