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)