Violence reigns at Satya Wacana

Violence reigns at Satya Wacana

SALATIGA, Central Java: Internal bickering at Satya Wacana Christian University nearly developed into a physical clash yesterday, dashing long-held hopes for reconciliation.

Students and lecturers at the university have been divided. The "pro-democracy group" sympathizes with Arief Budiman, who was fired last year, and the "pro-rector group" defends rector Jon JOI Ihalau who sacked Arief for disciplinary reasons.

Both camps are engaged in a pamphlet war with one discrediting the other. Yesterday, about 40 pro-rector students raided the headquarters of their rivals, tearing down announcement boards and challenging lecturer Ariel Heryanto to fight.

Ariel said his camp shunned violence and would continue to seek democracy through peaceful means.

But spokesman for the pro-rector group Krisna Widjaya insisted that his camp was ready for war any time to restore the learning- teaching process, which has been badly disrupted by strike organized by his rival group.

"They (the pro-democracy group) mean to undermine learning- teaching activities," he said. (har)