Abduction rumors trigger deadly chaos in NTB

Panca Nugraha, the Jakarta Post, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara | Archipelago | Mon, October 22 2012, 6: 26 PM

Rumors of child abduction randomly sent via text messages to residents of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) few days have led to deadly chaos, in which five people were killed and two police stations damaged.

NTB police information and data Department Deputy Chief kamera. I Gusti Anglurah Suarya reported Monday that rumors commotions, had started with residents hunting and killing five suspected kidnappers on Sunday and Monday.

Residents of Kediri district in West Lombok, they arrested a man who as a child-kidnapper accused on Sunday afternoon. The police immediately put the man, whose identity is unclear from Monday, remains under their authority. However, a few hours later, thousands of angry residents stormed the police station and attacked the alleged kidnapper to death. The residents also damaged the police station Kediri.

Also on Sunday afternoon occurred another deadly incident in Narmada district when I Putu Suarjana Selat village, 32, a resident living in BTN Sweta housing complex in Mataram, tortured and killed as residents accused him of being a kidnapper.

On Monday, were two perfume sellers accused as kidnappers when residents saw them give sweets to some children in Kuta, central Lombok. "The two alleged kidnappers were taken to Pujut police service but the crowd came and tortured them to death and damaged the police service," said Suarya.

He said that officials of the police could do little to tame the angry mob because they were in the minority.

In the Jerowaru district in East Lombok, Kimin, inhabitant of Semoyong village, was chased by hundreds of people riding motorcycles and was beaten to death. The 35-year-old man was accused as a child kidnapper.

Suarya said that the kidnapping was nothing but rumor. "Again, I announce that the NTB police yet to receive any report kidnapping of parents," he said.

"We really expect residents to calm down and let the police find the source of the rumors," he added.

NTB vice governor Badrul Munir calls on residents to remain calm and not be easily provoked by random text messages.

According to Badrul, some schools have their students go home earlier after the kidnapping rumors circulated among parents allowed. (cor/lfr)