Sixty-year-old killed in clash between village youths

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Tegal

A clash between youths from two neighboring villages in Jatinegara district, Tegal regency in Central Java claimed the life of a 60-year-old man.

Ilyah died on Tuesday when he fell while trying to run away from angry youths from Argatawang village who came to Dusun Tengah hamlet in Gentungan village to avenge the beating up of two of their friends, Slamet and Sholeh, on Monday.

Slamet and Sholeh were beaten up by eight youths from Gentungan for visiting a girl in the village on Monday.

The clash erupted between youths from the two villages but the police quickly arrived and restored order.

Tegal Police chief Sr. Comr. Pambudi Pamungkas said on Wednesday that the police had apprehended eight people responsible for the clash.

"Dozens of people have been questioned and eight were named suspects in the case," said Pambudi.

Clashes between youths are common in the province. From 2001- 2005, the police recorded 30 cases of clashes involving youths.

In Tegal regency alone, two clashes took place during the Idul Fitri holiday, fewer than the seven cases reported in the same period last year.

A clash also took place in the Kawang Sikidang tourist area in Dieng, Banjarnegara regency, on Sunday, after a parking attendant in Pathak Banteng, Kejajar district in Wonosobo regency was beat up by three youths.