Police arrest 11 aid looters in Padang

PADANG: West Sumatra Police have arrested 11 people caught stealing in the provincial capital of Padang, one of the two worst-hit areas in last week's 7.6-magnitude quake.

West Sumatra Police chief Brig. Gen. Wahyu Daini said Friday that his office would take stern action against any crimes committed during the disaster period.

"If they are in need of help, we will assist. But if they have committed a crime, we will arrest them," he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

The office has deployed around 2,000 personnel throughout the province to secure aid distribution and guard vulnerable areas. Hundreds of buildings were severely damaged in the quake, which had claimed at least 784 lives as of Friday, according to official data. - JP