Residents protest alleged kidnapping

Residents protest alleged kidnapping

NGABANG, West Kalimantan: Several hundred people took to the streets Sunday demanding that the authorities release a resident they say was kidnapped and tortured by a member of the Armed Forces, a press report said yesterday.

They say the resident, identified as Jinning, was kidnapped last Friday after he was involved in a minor road accident with the officer.

"We demand that the authorities openly explain what has happened to our colleague," a spokesman for the protesters, Antonius, was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said it believed that the victim has been tortured and killed in his abductors' headquarters.

Ngabang subdistrict chief Sunarto assured the protesters that the individuals who allegedly kidnapped Jinning have been detained, though he didn't give the victim's whereabouts. (pan)