Villagers riot over shrimp

Villagers riot over shrimp

CILACAP, Central Java: Some 150 villagers destroyed a shrimp
pond after a row with the owner over sharing the commodity crop.

The villagers from Karanganyar also smashed pond facilities
such as water pumps and a security post.

There were no fatalities but some of the villagers were later
detained by police for questioning, witnesses said.

The pond's owner, 45-year-old Humaidi, was a relatively
newcomer in the area, having come from Brebes in Central Java six
months ago.

He admitted he had not known the existing tradition in which
villagers expected to be given a share in the harvest. (45/09)