Police shoot two students in Kampar rally<\/p>\n
Haidir Anwar Tanjung
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nPekanbaru, Riau<\/p>\n
Violence erupted in Kampar regency on Tuesday with police firing
\nlive rounds at thousands of protesting teachers, students and
\ncivil servants who pressed for their demand that Kampar Regent
\nJefri Noer be immediately dismissed.<\/p>\n
At least two students sustained serious gunshot wounds, while
\ndozens of others were also injured after being beaten during the
\nclash with police officers in Bangkinang, the capital city of
\nKampar, about 60 miles from the provincial capital Pekanbaru.<\/p>\n
The clash took place at the Mahligai Bungsu Building, where
\nthe demonstrators gathered at 9 a.m. for a massive rally against
\nthe regent.<\/p>\n
They demanded that Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno
\nimmediately issue a decree to uphold the recent unanimous vote by
\nregency council to oust Jefri.<\/p>\n
At around 10 a.m. three police trucks appeared and penetrated
\nthe crowd, sparking tension at the scene.<\/p>\n
Kampar police operations chief Comr. Hasyim told the
\ndemonstrators to disperse, saying the rally was illegal as the
\nauthorities had not issued a permit.<\/p>\n
However, he admitted later that the police had been notified
\nof the planned demonstration.<\/p>\n
Hasyim said that there must not be a mass gathering except for
\nthose campaigning for political parties during the current three-
\nweek campaign period.<\/p>\n
Protest coordinator M. Idris later told the demonstrators to
\nbow to the police's order to disband.<\/p>\n
But many protesters refused to leave, apparently waiting for
\ntrucks to pick them up first.<\/p>\n
The police became enraged by the protesters' slow pace, so a
\nnumber of officers climbed up onto the stage used for orations
\nduring the rally, and beat and kicked nearly a dozen activists.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators then yelled and jeered at the police,
\ncalling them arrogant and other expletives. Minutes later, the
\nsecurity forces fired warning shots and tear gas into the crowd.<\/p>\n
The crowd responded by pelting the police with stones. The
\nclash lasted for some two hours.<\/p>\n
At least five high school students were arrested.<\/p>\n
Local councillor Nasri Yunus condemned the violence by the
\npolice, saying it was inhuman and brutal.<\/p>\n
The police should not have tried to forcefully disburse the
\nprotesters by force because they had notified them about the
\nrally a day earlier, he added.<\/p>\n
Idris also slammed the police officer's brutality and urged
\nall civil servants, including teachers, to continue striking
\nuntil after Jefri's dismissal was officially approved by the
\ncentral government.<\/p>\n
\"It's our commitment. The strike will end only when Jefri Noer
\nhas been removed by the home affairs minister. Otherwise,
\neducation activities and public services in Kampar will come to a
\ncomplete standstill,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-shoot-two-students-in-kampar-rally-1447893297",
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