Four anti-Soeharto protesters injured

JAKARTA (JP): At least four of the approximately 50 students staging an anti-Soeharto rally on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta on Tuesday were injured after hundreds of supporters of the former president attacked them.

The students, from the Student Action for Reform and Democracy Front (Famred), were waving banners, one of which demanded Soeharto be put in jail immediately, during the afternoon rally when hundreds of people dressed in black arrived at the area near the private residence of the former president.

The Soeharto supporters said they were from the Democracy Action Study Forum and the Alliance of Democracy and Youth Action.

The new arrivals, carrying sticks and national flags, immediately attacked the students from Famred, sparking a clash between the two groups. Outnumbered, the Famred members were forced to flee.

Dozens of police officers stationed in the area failed to take action to stop the brawl, which left four students from Famred injured.

The rally on Tuesday was the first time the anti-Soeharto protesters were able to reach Jl. Cendana.

The second hearing of Soeharto's graft case is scheduled to be held on Thursday. (jaw)