49 arrested after concert

49 arrested after concert

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested at least 49 people, mostly
students and jobless youths, for their alleged involvement in a
massive brawl during a Slank rock concert Wednesday in Bekasi
Stadium, an officer said yesterday.

Bekasi Police chief Lt. Col. Adjie Rustam Ramdja said the 49
suspects were detained after police questioned them and several
other people about the fray, in which nine students were badly
injured.

"The 49 suspects, mainly students and jobless youths, were
caught red-handed carrying sharp weapons and blunt objects,"
Adjie said.

Some violence erupted reportedly after a group of students
wishing to buy tickets became upset when they realized they could
not afford the Rp 7,500 entrance fee.

Police said the crowd outside the ticket office began throwing
rocks at the stadium at about 1 p.m.

"That's why I hastily told the organizers to open the stadium
gate to let the students get in an attempt to avoid any serious
problems," Adjie recalled.

The concert, he said, went smoothly until 5 p.m., when some
students and youths clashed in the Kranji area, about four
kilometers from the stadium.

Some violence reportedly occurred in the stadium soon after.

Up to 400 policemen were deployed to secure the area.

After the fray, police found 20 sharp weapons left behind in
the stadium, 30 sharp weapons in Kranji and 50 more from the 49
men arrested, he said.

The unrest caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Adjie said he would temporarily ban any similar performances
in Bekasi.

"The organizers of the Slank concert received a permit but
they underestimated the number of visitors.

"It's a precious lesson for the future," Adjie said.

The nine injured students are currently being treated at
Bekasi General Hospital, he said. (edt)