Students clash with residents

MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 60 students of Saint Thomas Catholic University in Tanjung Sari subdistrict in down town Medan were injured and admitted to hospitals during a two-day clash with locals, reports said on Monday.

The clash was aparked by arguments betwwen locals and a group of people claiming to be students of the university

"The victims among the students are 60 people. They are now treated in Herna and Elizabeth hospitals in Medan," Ramses Simbolon, the campus spokesman said.

The clash that lasted in two days was sparked by argumentation between locals and some people who claimed to be St. Thomas students. Locals were mad at them as they were often demanded a sum of money from street vendors that seated around the campus.

The clash between them were occurred mostly inside the campus that made properties of Law and Science faculties severely damaged.

The clash that lasted on Sunday had made security apparatus to deploy hundreds anti riot surrounding the area.

Campus administration had declared a week long day-off for the students due to the clash, starting on Monday. However students who were still came to the campus held free speech forum and staged a demonstration to deny violence to occur in their campus in the future. (24/09)