School up in arms about regiment

SEMARANG, Central Java: About 500 students from Walisongo State Academy for Islamic Studies (IAIN) rallied at the provincial legislature on Wednesday to demand the expulsion of student paramilitary regiments (Menwa) from campuses.

Group leader Sutarno said the students called on the government to revoke a ministerial decree on the establishment of the regiment. They complained that the paramilitary members tended to behave violently on campus.

"On our campus, one student named Nur Huda has been harassed by them without reason," Sunarto said.

Sunarto insisted campuses should serve as a place for the study of knowledge, not hostility. He warned his group would form a rival student regiment if the regiments were not abolished.

Deputy speaker of the council M. Toyfoer told the students he was concerned about the hostile attitude of the regiment members. (har/08)