Student Protest at North Sumatra DPRD Under Tight Security by TNI and Police
Hundreds of joint personnel from the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), and the Transportation Agency were deployed to secure a protest held by various student groups in front of the North Sumatra Provincial Parliament (DPRD Sumut) building on Monday (15/6).
Medan Police Operations Chief, AKBP Dhana Noer Kurniawan, stated that 620 joint personnel were placed on standby to oversee the demonstrations at various points across Medan City. “Security involves Polri, Satpol PP, the Transportation Agency, and our colleagues from the TNI. In total, we have deployed approximately 620 personnel,” Dhana said.
According to him, the joint forces were not only stationed at the DPRD Sumut complex but were also distributed to several other locations serving as protest sites. “We have divided personnel between the DPRD Sumut, the University of North Sumatra (USU), and several other places. It is not only USU holding a protest; there are other groups as well. We have distributed personnel to all of them,” Dhana explained.
Dhana noted that there were around 20 protest agendas taking place at various points on that day. However, the DPRD Sumut area remained the primary focus of the security operation. “There are approximately 20 protest activities today. The DPRD Sumut is one of our main security focal points,” he clarified.
To anticipate various possibilities, a tactical water cannon vehicle was placed on standby near the location. Dhana emphasised that the vehicle’s presence was part of standard security procedures. “It is part of the standard operating procedure. Based on information and developments of the situation on the ground, we prepared a security plan, including placing the Armoured Water Cannon (AWC) on standby,” he elaborated.
He estimated the number of protesters participating in the action at the DPRD Sumut to be between 200 and 300 people. Nevertheless, the police continued to take anticipatory measures to maintain a conducive situation. “We have prepared the AWC on standby. The hope is certainly that it will not need to be used. This is an anticipatory step to prevent undesirable incidents,” Dhana stated.
Meanwhile, to support the security operation, the police also implemented traffic diversions around the DPRD Sumut building. The road section in front of the protest site was cleared from the Aryaduta Hotel intersection to the Bank Mandiri intersection. “We will monitor the escalation later. If the situation intensifies, traffic management will be readjusted by expanding the security area,” he said.
Regarding the involvement of TNI personnel in securing the protest, Dhana affirmed that it was a form of inter-agency synergy in maintaining public security and order. “Security is a shared responsibility. TNI-Polri and community synergy is very important. The presence of our TNI colleagues is also to assist in monitoring the situation and supporting communication on the ground so that security runs smoothly,” he concluded.
During the protest, the student masses carried eight demands, including maintaining fuel price stability, efficiency and transparency of the state and regional budgets, rejection of the TNI’s dual function, and the cessation of the Free Nutritious Meal programme.