The Hindu : Front Page : Indian workers attacked in Indonesian dry dock

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Friday, Apr 23, 2010
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Indian workers attacked in Indonesian dry dock

BATAM (INDONESIA) Angry at being dubbed as “stupid” by their Indian supervisor, some 10,000 local workers at a dry dock in Indonesia on Thursday went on the rampage attacking their Indian colleagues injuring four of them and torching vehicles.

A total of 41 Indians employed at the PT Drydock World Graha docks on Batam, an island just south of Singapore, were evacuated by a boat in a special seaport following the attack.

The four injured were among those evacuated under tight police protection, Antara news agency reported, adding no fatality was reported during the incident.

Around 400 police officers were deployed to stop the attack, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Eko Yudha, deputy head of the Barelang police, said.

Factory sealed

Police sealed the factory following the attack by the company's workers who also burnt some 20 vehicles.

The violence occurred after an Indian supervisor cursed at Indonesian workers, the report said.

“He [the Indian supervisor] said Indonesian people are stupid. It's our nation's dignity, therefore we are angry,” Baim, a worker, said.

About 10,000 workers gathered in front of the factory and sang Indonesia's national anthem as well as other patriotic songs after the attack.

The workers had earlier attempted to vandalise the factory with various shipyard equipment they had brought along. — PTI

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