INDIANS EVACUATED FOLLOWING DRYDOCK WORKERS' ATTACK IN BATAM, INDONESIA

Batam, Riau Islands, April 22 (ANTARA) - Around 41 Indian nationals working at PT Drydock World Graha were evacuated by a boat, following an attack by workers of the company.

They were evacuated by a boat in a special seaport under tight police protection. Four of the Indians were hurt in the clash. There was no report of casualties in the brawl so far.

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

The police sterilized the factory following the attack by the company`s workers who also burned vehicles.

The violence occurred after an Indian supervisor cursed at Indonesian workers.

"He said Indonesian people are stupid. It`s our nation`s dignity, therefore we are angry," Baim, a worker, said.

Around 20 cars were burnt in the violence. About 10,000 workers gathered in front of the factory and they sang Indonesia`s national anthem as well as other patriotic songs after the attack.

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