Grenade Thrown into Local Council Member’s House in Aceh

Monday, 14 May, 2012 | 14:32 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Banda Aceh:An unknown perpetrator threw a grenade into the home of Ridwan, a West Aceh local council (DPRK) member in Meulaboh on early Sunday morning. No casualties were reported.

West Aceh precinct chief AKBP Artanto said that when the grenade exploded, Ridwan was not at his home on Jalan Seulawah. However, Ridwan’s wife and their two-year-old child were inside the house sleeping.

“Only Ridwan’s family was in the house when the explosion occurred. His wife and child were startled when they heard the explosion in their front yard,” Artanto said.

Precinct chief Artanto said the motive for the grenade attack was unknown. Ridwan is a member of the Aceh local council from the Aceh Party Faction. The police are still gathering information from witnesses.

The ceiling, windows and flowerpots at Ridwan’s house were all damaged by the grenade.

The sound of the explosion woke Meulaboh residents and caused them to leave their homes after they saw the billowing clouds of smoke.

“I went directly to location last night. Temporary reports said the grenade was thrown by an unknown perpetrator on a motorcycle,” said the chief.

Marlina, Ridwan’s wife, said the explosion occurred when she and her child were sleeping. The loud noise and shockwave felt like an earthquake, she said.