Student clashes end in the burning of USK Aceh's Faculty of Agriculture

The Banda Aceh City Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim Polresta Banda Aceh) is investigating the burning of several facilities at the Faculty of Agriculture at Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Banda Aceh, which occurred as a result of clashes between local students in the early hours of Thursday, 21 May. ‘At present, we are conducting a crime-scene investigation to determine the initial source of the fire that burned the Faculty of Agriculture, the motorcycles, and the USK security post,’ said Kompol Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, head of the Banda Aceh City Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit. ‘We will continue investigating to identify the actors or perpetrators responsible for damaging educational facilities,’ he added. Public Relations Head Iptu Eddy Musfikar explained that, based on preliminary investigations, a disturbance between students from the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Engineering occurred prior to the fires, peaking in the early hours of Thursday, 21 May. ‘Two groups of students, suspected to be from the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Engineering, clashed over the past two days. The disturbance continued several hours before the area was set alight,’ he said. It was later found that at least three students from the Faculty of Engineering sustained injuries requiring medical treatment. Eddy continued that upon learning of the injuries, several other engineering students retaliated against the Faculty of Agriculture by throwing stones and bringing Molotov cocktails, causing damage to the Faculty of Agriculture and its laboratories. ‘The clash culminated in vandalism, including the throwing of campus facilities such as building glass and other rooms. Three motorcycles and one car were also burned,’ said Iptu Eddy. Rector’s appeal The Rector of Syiah Kuala University (USK), Prof. Mirza Tabrani, urged all parties on campus to maintain conduciveness following the inter-group student unrest. ‘The leadership of USK has coordinated and is awaiting the authorities’ investigation results into the campus unrest,’ he said in Banda Aceh. He urged the entire academic community to restrain actions or other behaviour that could worsen the situation, while emphasising persuasiveness, courtesy, and constructive dialogue. The university has coordinated with faculty leadership, campus security, and authorities to enhance campus security and mitigate and anticipate potential safety disturbances in the future. ‘We appreciate the attention and care of all academic staff and students toward our beloved campus, the heart of the Acehnese people. Let us work together to keep the campus safe, conducive, and under control so that teaching and learning can continue as usual,’ he added. USK also asked for support from lecturers to remind and guide students to uphold prudent behaviour, academic ethics, and not be easily swayed by information that could trigger unrest. The Rector also urged that any potential campus security disturbances be mitigated and anticipated and coordinated with faculty leadership or university authorities. ‘If violations of the rules are found, disciplinary action should be taken in accordance with the Rector’s Regulation of Syiah Kuala University,’ he said. ‘Thank you for the cooperation and concern of all parties who have committed to upholding ukhuwah values, including campus security and order,’ the Rector concluded. Earlier, USK issued Rector Regulation Number 15 of 2025 concerning the Code of Ethics for Students of Syiah Kuala University, which governs the conduct of the academic community to uphold honesty, responsibility, discipline, and ethics in teaching, research, and social interactions on campus.