Rioters arrested for looting, burning

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least 66 residents are being detained by Ende Police for damaging, burning and looting shops as well as provoking people to join them, an officer said.

Ende Police chief Lt. Col. Roy Hendrik Tumbelaka said Saturday that the number of suspects might increase in line with the investigation, which has not been completed.

The vandalism was sparked by a protest on Feb. 8 against the rising prices of basic commodities.

Sunday's rampage, one in a series of food riots that have taken place in several Indonesian cities this year, resulted in 21 shops being gutted and 71 others damaged, Roy said.

Of the 66 suspects, 54 were arrested in Ende, seven in Bajawa town in Ngada regency, two in Sikka and the remaining three in Belu, Timor, he said.

"Three of the arrested suspects are intellectuals, believed to be the masterminds behind Sunday's riot."

The officer pledged to ensure other suspected rioters were arrested and brought before the court for punishment.

They paralyzed Ende's economy for more than one week, he said. (yac)