Police name two suspects in USK Aceh campus arson

BANDA ACEH (ANTARA) - Police have named WS (22) and MAM (20) as suspects for damaging and setting fire to the USK Faculty of Agriculture and other facilities, said Head of Criminal Investigation for Banda Aceh Police, Kompol Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

He stated that the suspects were named after investigators interviewed 18 witnesses, collected evidence from the scene, and coordinated with university authorities.

According to Dizha, WS acted as the field coordinator, while MAM is suspected of involvement in the attacks and vandalism.

Investigators also plan to interview 18 additional witnesses to strengthen the investigation.

“If these 18 witnesses appear to give statements, the total will be 36, including the two suspects,” he said.

Dizha explained the incident began with tensions between Agriculture and Engineering students over protests against Aceh Governor’s Regulation on Health Insurance on Monday (18 May).

He said that before the protests, Agriculture students passed in front of the Engineering faculty while revving their vehicles. After the rally, an incident occurred at the USK Student Executive Board (BEM) office, leaving one Engineering student injured and requiring medical treatment.

The clashes resulted in two students sustaining minor injuries and several windows at the Engineering faculty damaged.

Subsequently, Engineering students retaliated by gathering a crowd and attacking the Agriculture faculty.

“At 4:00 AM, Engineering students retaliated by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, causing damage to the Agriculture faculty’s buildings and laboratories,” he said.

He confirmed the conflict solely involved USK students from the Agriculture and Engineering faculties and did not include students from other universities under Banda Aceh Police jurisdiction.