The West Java capital, Bandung erupted in rioting as 30,000 people went onto the streets in support of street traders in a conflict with the local authorities.

The trouble started with a dispute between street traders in Cicadas and municipal security officials who moved in to remove traders, using rough, inhumane methods.

The riot began at 2.30pm Monday and continued until 5 in the evening when things were brought under control after special police forces, the tanks brigade and airborne troops were brought in to help the local police. There were no casualties.

According to Media Indonesia, the trouble goes back to a decision by the municipal authorities prohibiting street traders from selling their wares before 6pm each day. Traders were very angry at this restriction, especially as the Lebaran Muslim festival is approaching.

Yesterday, municipal security officers arrived at the location in two vehicles and tried to remove traders who had laid out their wares at 2.30pm. Obscene words were used as the officials tried to drive the traders away. The traders responded by attacking the officials and vented their anger too on nearby shops, buses and two municipal trucks.

Around one thousand traders were involved, but tens of thousands of local inhabitants rallied to their support in sympathy. Shops in the vicinity immediately put up their shutters, but many windows were smashed. The riots led to several major thoroughfares being closed to traffic.

Even though a senior army officer arrived on the scene to announce that the traders could trade as they wished, it proved impossible to calm things down until a special force arrived on the scene.

Four people were arrested during the troubles.