Atma Jaya still counting losses

JAKARTA (JP): Atma Jaya University is still counting the material losses from two days of clashes between students and security officers in front of its campus on Jl. Sudirman last week.

"Forty-two students' cars, two university cars and one building were damaged," vice rector for student affairs Yohanes Temalaru said on Monday.

He said the university was still calculating the monetary amount of the losses.

Violence erupted last Thursday after thousands of students held a street rally against state security bill, which had been approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) earlier in the day. Students decried the bill for providing excessive powers to the military.

During the clashes with security personnel, many students hid in the vicinity of the campus or on its grounds. Troops attempted to flush out the students by releasing tear gas and shooting rubber bullets into the compound.

Yohanes said the administrators of the university had not decided whether to seek damages from the authorities.

"The university cars were covered by insurance and the student cars were taken home by the owners," he said. (04)