Water company's property attacked

Tangerang, West Java (JP): Hundreds of Poris Pelawad subdistrict residents vandalized and burned down a shed belonging to local water company PDAM in protest of the company building a well.

Local resident Aji, 22, said the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. and was triggered by fear that the PDAM well would deplete residents' water supply.

He said Poris Pelawad residents were joined by Puri Dewata Indah housing complex residents in the vandalism. The people also allegedly stole equipment like pipes and monkey wrenches abandoned by three guards working for the company.

According to Aji, PDAM previously planned to establish a well in Banjar Wijaya housing complex, "but the effort was foiled by the complex's residents".

Spokesman of the Tangerang administration Said Endrowiyanto said he was concerned about the incident.

"We can discuss any problems, can't we? But instead they vandalize the place," he said.(41/ind)