Rector vows to sue police over students' deaths

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Rector of Nomensen Christian University Ericson Simarmata is planning to sue the North Sumatra Police chief for a fatal clash on campus on Monday.

Simarmata said the police chief, as the highest official responsible for security in the province, should be held accountable for the death of two university students and casualties resulting from a police raid on the campus.

He said the National Police chief should also be held responsible for arbitrary actions by police officers in handling the students.

Simarmata, who was also beaten by officers who refused to acknowledge he was the rector, said he met with North Sumatra Police chief Brig. Gen. Sutanto after the violence. "He told me that there were no orders to shoot from his office."

The dead students were identified as Kelvin Nababan and Rikardo Silitonga.

The university estimated damages to the campus of Rp 25 billion.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dadang Garnida said the clash resulted from an incident on April 28 when some 100 students demanded the release of fellow student Panal Pakpahan. Pakpahan was arrested for gambling on April 25.

The students also wanted to meet with the North Sumatra Police chief, Dadang said.

"They refused to send representatives to meet with Brig. Gen. Sutanto. On May 1 about 200 students marched to the North Sumatra Police Headquarters to make the same request. As they could not get what they wanted, they pelted stones at the police headquarters and attacked the officers."

The police have denied they invaded the campus. (39/ylt/sur)