11 held after SPAD standoff

LANGKAWI: Eleven men were nabbed for trying to attack some Kedah Land Transport Commission (SPAD) en­­forcement officers including overturning their vehicles.

The officers were at a road block in Jalan Lapangan Terbang Padang Mat Sirat when the mob turned unruly at about 10.30am on Friday.

Kedah CID chief Asst Comm Mohd Nashir Ya said one of the officers then lodged a police report.

“The group came in a few cars and more than 10 of them started heckling the officers with abusive words as well as threatening to destroy their vehicles.

“The group also tried to overturn the vehicles,” he said when contacted yesterday.

ACP Mohd Nashir added that there was also a loud explosion, believed to be caused by firecrackers.

“We launched a joint operation here and nabbed 11 of them, aged between 19 and 35, on Saturday.

“Based on our investigation, two of them were operating an illegal car-rental service while the other nine were working for travel agencies,” he said.

All the suspects have been remanded. The case is being investigated under the Penal Code for rioting and committing mischief.

ACP Mohd Nashir also warned that police would not hesitate to take stern action against those who try to stop enforcement officers from carrying out their duties.