Penalty sought for activists<\/p>\n
DILI (JP): The local military pressured East Timor University
\nofficials yesterday to punish students involved in political
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Abdul Rivai told journalists after meeting with
\nuniversity officials that many students have been involved in
\npolitical activities, which he said is in violation of college
\nrules.<\/p>\n
\"We told the university's officials not to hesitate to take
\npunitive action against recalcitrant students,\" Rivai said after
\na meeting held behind closed doors.<\/p>\n
Present at the meeting were local senior military officials,
\nvice governor J. Haribowo, acting rector Armindo Maia and deans
\nof the university's socio-political and education departments.<\/p>\n
A meeting between officials and East Timor University students
\nwere canceled for reasons Rivai declined to disclose.<\/p>\n
The university was the target of numerous anti-government
\ndemonstrations. Rivai alleged that some students were involved in
\na recent flurry of violent protests.<\/p>\n
He urged university officials to have the courage to punish
\n\"recalcitrant\" students.<\/p>\n
\"If no action is taken, the situation could develop into
\nanarchy,\" he said. \"University officials have to understand
\nthis.\"<\/p>\n
In a recent incident, a student threw a bottle of mineral
\nwater at officials of the National Commission on Human Rights who
\nwere visiting to discuss a case.<\/p>\n
Such an incident, he said, should not pass without the culprit
\nbeing punished.<\/p>\n
Rivai said the meeting aimed to find a solution to the
\nuniversity and government's common problems concerning political
\nactivities involving students. (33\/pan)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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