Detik.com - October 19,
2011
E Mei Amelia R and Ari
Saputra, Jakarta – Two demonstrators from the University of Indonesia (UI)
Student Action Front (FAM) were assaulted during a scuffle with police at the
Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Wednesday October 19 during
a protest action to mark the second year of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
and Vice President Boediono's administration.
The two female students,
Sonia and Nabiha, attempted to hold firm behind their male colleges but because
the march was moving fast and the students pressed for time, the crowd became
scattered and the two students were hit and elbowed in the face by male police
officers.
The incident began after
scores of students brought a stereo foam effigy of a buffalo head to the
demonstration. Police suddenly moved in and seized the effigy but were blocked
by students and a scuffle broke out that ensued for around 15 minutes. It was
the end of this that that Sonia and Nabiha were struck by police.
"The police acted very
excessively. They were very freighted and went overboard defending the
president so our effigy was seized. Yet we were just going to hold a tolak
bala ritual (to ward off evil spirits), not to insult the president. A
buffalo head, in our society is customarily used for the tolak bala",
said action spokesperson Dimas.
Journalists assaulted
After forcibly breaking up
the demonstration, police were then involved in an altercation with journalists
covering the protest.
The incident took place
when police tried to prevent journalists from taking pictures of a student that
had fallen to the ground during the clash with police.
Three photographers said
that they were assaulted by police officers. "I was taking photographs,
suddenly I was hit in the back of the head", said Indo Pos photographer
Feri Pradolo and Pos Kota photographer Toga following the demonstration.
The altercation between
police and journalists continued for around 15 minutes with both sides pushing
and shoving each other puling at each others clothing. The situation only
calmed down after Central Jakarta Police Chief Senior Commissioner AR Yoyol
calmed his officers down, while the journalists were comforted by Media
Indonesia senior photographer Gino Frankihadi.
Earlier, police had
forcibly disbursed the demonstrating students who had set fire to photographs
of President Yudhoyono, during which a scuffle broke out and two students were
hit by police.
Scores arrested
By late afternoon at least
31 students had been taken into custody and are currently being questioned by
police.
"So there are now 31
people who have been taken into custody by the Metro Jaya regional police. The
action [was held] without prior notice", said Metro Jaya public relations
bureau chief Senior Commissioner Baharuddin Djafar at the Metro Jaya police
station on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Jakarta.
According to Djafar, the
student action earlier in the afternoon did not have a permit and in addition
to detaining the 31 students, police have also taken custody of materials that
were used at the demonstration. "Including materials that could violate
social norms, we were safeguarding moral norms", he explained.
When asked about the
journalists who were assaulted by police, Djafar explained that he had yet to
receive a report on the matter, adding that if journalists had indeed been
assaulted, they should report it to the police.
[Abridged translation by James Balowski based on five
reports by Detik.com.]
