Residents destroy guard posts

TANGERANG: Some 300 residents of Bonar village, Balaraja district, Tangerang regency, went on the rampage and destroyed 10 security guard posts here late on Thursday in retaliation at a provocative statement issued by a supporter of elected village chief Idil Samsidi.

Balaraja Police chief Adj. Comr. Risnanto said on Friday that their anger had been sparked by a statement of one of Idil's supporters, identified as Jalil, who told Gandi, a supporter of Samsudin, a candidate who lost in the election to Idil, that Samsudin's supporters could come to Idil's house only if they brought oranges along with them as gifts.

"Gandi was apparently offended by Jalil's statement and told other Samsudin's supporters who then agreed to attack Jalil," Risnanto said.

But since Samsudin's supporters failed to find Jalil, they then destroyed all guard posts in the village, he added.

"We have detained several villagers for questioning," said the officer.--JP