Residents attack hotel

JAKARTA (JP): Over 100 angry residents of Kebon Manggis subdistrict in East Jakarta threw rocks and bottles at the nearby Hotel Mega Matra on Jl. Matraman Raya on Friday evening.

There were no reports of serious damage or fatalities.

According to witnesses, the residents were taking revenge on behalf of a neighbor who had a fight with one of the hotel's security guards.

Initially 20 people marched to the hotel, but their number quickly grew to 100.

Local police officers fired warning shots to disperse the mob.

Residents of Kebon Manggis and Pal Meriam in Matraman have a long-standing history of feuding. Attempts have been taken by Matraman subdistrict officials to make them bury the hatchet, and have also erected a high fence along the median strip of a road separating the neighborhoods.

The residents often arm themselves with arrows, rocks, air rifles, Molotov cocktails and sticks during brawls. Several people have died over the years as a consequence. (ylt)