Protest turns violent in Buol

Protest turns violent in Buol

INDONESIA: The legislative council building in the Central Sulawesi regency, Buol, was badly damaged on Saturday when thousands of locals ran amok over their disappointment at the legislature's bad performance.

Demonstrators threw stones at the building, damaged a door, windows and facilities inside and tore down part of the roof after they were unable to meet with councillors to discuss development policies in the regency.

Several demonstrators also struck council chief Amran Batalipu, who tried to escape and was rescued by a resident who used his motorcycle to take the victim to his house nearby.

Local police arrived late at the scene and drove away the demonstrators, who later moved to Regent Abdul Karim Hanggi's residence to convey their demand for the council chief's dismissal.

Control was regained after hundreds of riot police were deployed. -- Antara