Shouting match with police stops traffic<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Thousands of demonstrators from the Qaryah Tayyibah Farmers
\nAssociation were nearly involved in a clash on Saturday with
\npolice in Salatiga, about 100 kilometers south of the Central
\nJava capital Semarang.<\/p>\n
The demonstrators, farmers from around Central Java who were
\ndemanding land reform, initially engaged in a shouting match with
\ndozens of police officers. The situation then threatened to get
\nout of control after police took Ruth Mutiasih, the
\ndemonstration's organizer, into custody.<\/p>\n
The near clash occurred when the demonstrators attempted to
\nmarch from the Widyagraha building on Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, where
\nthey had attended a discussion.<\/p>\n
At about 1 p.m., the crowd was mobilized and had occupied the
\nstreet, bringing traffic to a standstill.<\/p>\n
According to the initial plan, the demonstrators were to march
\nfrom Jl. Soekarno-Hatta to Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Jl. Diponegoro,
\nJl. Wahid Hasyim and Jl.Kartini, ending in Pancasila Square.<\/p>\n
However, because the march would have caused massive traffic
\njams, police blocked the demonstrators from entering Jl. Jendral
\nSudirman, Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
As the farmers were marching and listening to a speech by Ruth
\nMutiasih, they were blocked by a police unit headed by Comr. Yudi
\nP. The officers ordered the demonstrators to disperse.<\/p>\n
A standoff ensued between Ruth and the police, with officers
\neventually forcing the demonstration leader down from the roof of
\na car and taking her back to the police station.<\/p>\n
Police questioned at least 10 other people about the incident.
\nThey were still being questioned as of Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
Police also seized several items as evidence, including a
\npickup truck, a motorcycle, dozens of banners and pamphlets.<\/p>\n
Salatiga Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wanto Sumardi said police
\ndispersed the crowd because they did not have a permit for the
\nmarch. .<\/p>\n
"Besides, the protest could disrupt the cooling-off period
\nprior to the elections," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shouting-match-with-police-stops-traffic-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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