Four injured in fuel protest

SURABAYA, East Java: Four students suffered light injuries after a clash with the police during the latest protests in Surabaya on Thursday as they were expressing staunch opposition to the government's recent move to raise fuel prices.

The clash started when the protesting students became upset as East Java provincial councillors declined to speak with them or protest the policy with them. They then began smashing the front glass doors at the council and several students were apprehended by the police.

The protest continued outside the Grahadi building and further clashes erupted when the students defied the police's demand not to disrupt traffic. The four injured students were taken to Dr. Soetomo hospital for treatment and were later discharged.

Spokesman of Surabaya Students Executive Body, Suliswanto, said three protesting students were taken away by the police as they were deemed to be the provocateurs of the protest. But the police denied that they were holding the three, saying they had all been released. -- JP