Two students shot dead in Medan

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)