49 arrested after concert<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested at least 49 people, mostly
\nstudents and jobless youths, for their alleged involvement in a
\nmassive brawl during a Slank rock concert Wednesday in Bekasi
\nStadium, an officer said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Bekasi Police chief Lt. Col. Adjie Rustam Ramdja said the 49
\nsuspects were detained after police questioned them and several
\nother people about the fray, in which nine students were badly
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
\"The 49 suspects, mainly students and jobless youths, were
\ncaught red-handed carrying sharp weapons and blunt objects,\"
\nAdjie said.<\/p>\n
Some violence erupted reportedly after a group of students
\nwishing to buy tickets became upset when they realized they could
\nnot afford the Rp 7,500 entrance fee.<\/p>\n
Police said the crowd outside the ticket office began throwing
\nrocks at the stadium at about 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
\"That's why I hastily told the organizers to open the stadium
\ngate to let the students get in an attempt to avoid any serious
\nproblems,\" Adjie recalled.<\/p>\n
The concert, he said, went smoothly until 5 p.m., when some
\nstudents and youths clashed in the Kranji area, about four
\nkilometers from the stadium.<\/p>\n
Some violence reportedly occurred in the stadium soon after.<\/p>\n
Up to 400 policemen were deployed to secure the area.<\/p>\n
After the fray, police found 20 sharp weapons left behind in
\nthe stadium, 30 sharp weapons in Kranji and 50 more from the 49
\nmen arrested, he said.<\/p>\n
The unrest caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.<\/p>\n
Adjie said he would temporarily ban any similar performances
\nin Bekasi.<\/p>\n
\"The organizers of the Slank concert received a permit but
\nthey underestimated the number of visitors.<\/p>\n
\"It's a precious lesson for the future,\" Adjie said.<\/p>\n
The nine injured students are currently being treated at
\nBekasi General Hospital, he said. (edt)<\/p>",
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