Police shoot two students in Kampar rally

Haidir Anwar Tanjung The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru, Riau

Violence erupted in Kampar regency on Tuesday with police firing live rounds at thousands of protesting teachers, students and civil servants who pressed for their demand that Kampar Regent Jefri Noer be immediately dismissed.

At least two students sustained serious gunshot wounds, while dozens of others were also injured after being beaten during the clash with police officers in Bangkinang, the capital city of Kampar, about 60 miles from the provincial capital Pekanbaru.

The clash took place at the Mahligai Bungsu Building, where the demonstrators gathered at 9 a.m. for a massive rally against the regent.

They demanded that Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno immediately issue a decree to uphold the recent unanimous vote by regency council to oust Jefri.

At around 10 a.m. three police trucks appeared and penetrated the crowd, sparking tension at the scene.

Kampar police operations chief Comr. Hasyim told the demonstrators to disperse, saying the rally was illegal as the authorities had not issued a permit.

However, he admitted later that the police had been notified of the planned demonstration.

Hasyim said that there must not be a mass gathering except for those campaigning for political parties during the current three- week campaign period.

Protest coordinator M. Idris later told the demonstrators to bow to the police's order to disband.

But many protesters refused to leave, apparently waiting for trucks to pick them up first.

The police became enraged by the protesters' slow pace, so a number of officers climbed up onto the stage used for orations during the rally, and beat and kicked nearly a dozen activists.

The demonstrators then yelled and jeered at the police, calling them arrogant and other expletives. Minutes later, the security forces fired warning shots and tear gas into the crowd.

The crowd responded by pelting the police with stones. The clash lasted for some two hours.

At least five high school students were arrested.

Local councillor Nasri Yunus condemned the violence by the police, saying it was inhuman and brutal.

The police should not have tried to forcefully disburse the protesters by force because they had notified them about the rally a day earlier, he added.

Idris also slammed the police officer's brutality and urged all civil servants, including teachers, to continue striking until after Jefri's dismissal was officially approved by the central government.

"It's our commitment. The strike will end only when Jefri Noer has been removed by the home affairs minister. Otherwise, education activities and public services in Kampar will come to a complete standstill," he said.