Two students shot dead in Medan

JAKARTA (JP): A violent clash on Monday between student protesters and police in Medan, North Sumatra, claimed the life of at least two students and injured 17 others.

Both victims were reportedly shot in the neck. The dead were identified as Kelvin Nababan and Rikardo, both economy faculty students from Nomensen Christian University.

Kelvin died on the spot while Rikardo died in Saint Elizabeth Hospital.

North Sumatra Police spokesman Lt. Col. Amrin Karim said the clash erupted after three policemen were abducted by students on the university campus. The students were protesting the arrest of a fellow student detained a few days earlier for alleged gambling.

Amrin said the students vented their frustration by seizing the three policemen and wrecking campus buildings and vehicles parked inside.

He claimed that after failed negotiation efforts, police had to use force to quell the violence and rescue their fellow officers.

Amrin admitted that shots had been fired.

However, Nomensen student Aries Nasution told The Jakarta Post that it was police that provoked the incident, storming the campus and wrecking the compound.

He also denied that students had taken three policemen hostage.

Antara reported that the university's Rector Rickson Simarmata had reported the deaths of the two students to the Bukit Barisan Military Police. (dja)