ITI stops classes after student clash

TANGERANG (JP): The authority of the Indonesian Institute of Technology (ITI) in Serpong decided on Wednesday to temporarily halt learning activities at the campus until Monday next week in a bid to lower tension between students from two rival schools at the institute.

"We hope the day off can be a cooling down period for the warring students, especially in accordance with the beginning of the holy fasting month," said ITI rector Herkamoyo Sosrodiningrat.

One student died during a fierce fight between the two groups on Saturday.

Herkamoyo, however, said that the campus authority did not think of the material loss in the fray that started from a small dispute in a football competition on Wednesday.

The body of the dead student, Sami Leonardo Turanang, 25, from the mechanical engineering school, has been flown to Balikpapan in East Kalimantan for burial.

The campus paid for all the expenses, the rector said.

Police said Sami died on Sunday with severe wounds to many parts of his body and head after being beaten during a brawl with rivals from the electrical engineering school at the same institute.

The fight took place on Saturday during a music show on their campus.

Upset with the death of their friend, students of the mechanical engineering school took revenge on Monday by vandalizing the workshop of the rival school.

Police were still investigating the case. (41/edt)