Residents attack hotel

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)