Protesters attack police station

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Hundreds of protesters attacked the Selagailingga Police station in Central Lampung on Sunday night, damaging two cars and setting office equipment and two motorcycles on fire.

Protesters were still gathered at the station on Monday morning, prompting Central Lampung Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Juni to request assistance from the Lampung Police's Mobile Brigade.

Juni said the incident began when several Selagailingga Police officers conducted a search for weapons at Simpang Jeruk market on Sunday morning. Officers seized seven weapons, including knives, during the action.

Two hours after the search, about 75 people arrived at the police station to demand the return of their weapons. When the police refused, about 700 people, many armed with sticks and knives, gathered outside the station, forcing the police officers inside to flee.

The head of the Lampung Police criminal unit, Adj. Sr. Comr. Laksa Widiyana, said the police had secured the location and arrested several people allegedly responsible for provoking the attack. -- JP