TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A hoax message incited hundreds of villagers living in Parean Girang, Bulak and Ilir to attack neighboring village Curug in Indramayu District on Tuesday evening.
The attackers wielded daggers, sickles and batons. Some were blocking cars heading to Curug Village, demanding the drivers to show their identity card.
There were no casualties in the incident. As many as 90 homes, however, were damaged. Police and military personnel had secured the area.
Waluyo, 58, a Curug villager, said that he was not aware of the reasons behind the attack. “I was taken by surprise when rocks were thrown at my home,” Waluyo said. The attack took place at 3 pm yesterday.
Indramayu Police Precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Sulistyo said that a fake report about recent accident in Curug Village that killed a villager of Parean Girang was the reason behind the attack.
A message quickly spread on social media indicating that Curug villagers had challenged their Parean counterparts. Villagers were left angered by the message before attacking Curug Village. “We are investigating into the attackers,” Eko said.
Eko said that situation at the scene was under control. “There were no casualties, villagers have returned home,” Eko said.
IVANSYAH
