Residents burn down church in Purwakarta

Yuli Tri Suwarni ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bandung   |  Thu, 05/22/2008 11:14 AM  |  The Archipelago

Police in West Java are questioning four people in connection with an arson attack on a church in Citeko village, Plered, Purwakarta.

The incident took place at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday. The church, run by the Abdi Karya Foundation (Yadika), occupies a building which used to be a tile factory.

Ten Yadika employees were placed in protective police custody.

Plered Police chief Adj. Comr. Asep Supriadi said the attack was carried out by a mob of hundreds of locals angered by the conversion of the tile factory to a church.

"It's just a reaction by disgruntled residents who had lodged complaints which went unheeded," Asep said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Citeko village chief Andri Yani said residents had voiced opposition to the church because the building was initially slated to be renovated as a school.

"Residents became suspicious after noticing many people from outside the area visiting the building a few months into the construction phase. They voiced their objections about using the building as a church, but construction continued," Andri said.

Police have yet to name a suspect in the case and are still questioning witnesses and Yadika employees. The scene of the attack is under heavy police and military security.

"We are securing the site to prevent the possibility of further incidents," Asep said.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.