Dozens injured as police, refugees clash

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of Acehnese refugees clashed with police and public order officers in the North Sumatra governor's office in Medan on Tuesday, a report said.

At least four people were seriously injured, dozens of others slightly wounded while several women fainted during the clash at 10:15 a.m. The building was also damaged.

The fight erupted after Medan public order officers beat a refugee who tried to enter the governor's office.

In retaliation for the beating, his supporters uprooted pot plants inside the building and threw them at police and public order officials.

The refugees, carrying sticks, also smashed windows in the office.

The violence would have continued if leaders from both sides had not calmed their respective members down. The melee lasted 20 minutes.

The four people who suffered serious injuries were a refugee identified as Saliman, policeman Second Brig. H. Simatupang and public order officials Irwan Idris Siregar and Hadi Andoko. --JP