JAKARTA, Feb 9: Police have imposed a night curfew on an eastern Indonesian town after an angry mob set fire to two shops and vehicles in protest against price hikes, residents said. ``Economic activities have been crippled because of Sunday's riots. The town is quiet today and police are on patrol. Police have imposed a curfew starting from six in the evening to six in the morning,'' one resident told Reuters from Ende town on Flores island. Police declined to comment, but said the situation was under control.News reports said at least 16 shops, two cars and two motor cycles were damaged or set on fire during the disturbances, in which 200 people went on a rampage.
The violence followed similar riots in Bima town on nearby Sumbawa island on Saturday. At least two shops were burnt and seven damaged during a protest against rising prices of foodstuffs sparked by the country's crisis.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
