School up in arms about regiment

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)