Villagers run wild over scandal

Villagers run wild over scandal

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of Tegal Kunir Lor villagers in Mauk
district here, angered by a brewing sex scandal involving village
head M. Hasan, went berserk on Monday and destroyed his office.

They were provoked by a rumor Hasan impregnated an 18-year-old
local woman.

Tangerang police are questioning two people who allegedly
provoked the crowd to destroy the office.

Villagers visited the office on Monday morning to seek Hasan's
explanation.

After arriving at the office, they split into two groups. One
group stayed at the office and the other went to the district
head's office to seek clarification.

Impatient when members of the second group did not return
after several hours, the people began throwing stones at the
office. Its front windows were shattered and door damaged.

It was not clear who began the vandalism.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto expressed his
concern over the incident, saying that the villagers should have
peacefully resolved their problem with the district head instead
of resorting to vandalism.

Pudji said Hambali and Masdar, who allegedly provoked the
villagers, were being investigated.

"This case should have immediate clarification on on whether
it's true M. Hasan got the woman pregnant," he said. (ivy/41)