Students attacked over gambling row

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: At least 40 people, armed with guns and sharp weapons raided the local office of the Indonesian Muslim Students' Association (HMI) on Jl. Radial on Friday and attacked students inside the building.

The students said that the attackers, believed to be thugs working for gambling operators, brandished guns and knives, kicked and beat any students they met in the office.

"The attack started at about 7:30 a.m. when the mob stormed the building, assaulting anyone they met. The action stopped 30 minutes later," Budi, one of the students, said.

Rebo Iskandar, chairman of the HMI Palembang branch office, said that the attack might be linked to the students' plan for an anti-gambling demonstration.

"We had been told by gang members to cancel the protest against the rampant operation of gambling houses. We assume that the attackers were the thugs who guard the gambling houses," Rebo said.

Soon after the attack, the students marched to South Sumatra Police headquarters to meet chief Insp. Gen. Suparto.

The students also asked Suparto to have all illicit gambling dens sealed off soon.

Suparto promised to take prompt and appropriate action.

The students said that the gambling houses dealt with billions of rupiah every night. (33)