Several injured in church riot in Indonesia's West Timor

Several people have been injured and a police post torched in riots in Indonesia's West Timor province.

Police say the riots in Atambua town were sparked by anger over an incident during mass.

District police spokesman, Fretes, says the riots occurred after police rescued a man who was being assaulted at the Immaculate Cathedral for allegedly crushing the communion wafer during morning mass.

Police took the 27-year-old man, who could be charged for contempt of religion, to the district police headquarters for questioning.

Atambua Bishop, Anton Pain Ratu, says the man's action is regarded an abomination in the Catholic religion as the thin circular wafer symbolises the body of Christ.