Maryadi/Fitri & GB, Pontianak – Tensions between the entrenched Governor of West Kalimantan and the coalition of students and other civilians who want to see him ousted and are on the boil again. An all-in brawl resulted Tuesday when Aspar's supporters occupied the provincial government's offices and then met anti-Aspar demonstrators.

Last week, the central government and House of Representatives gave Aspar Aswin three choices after a vote of no confidence was passed by the Provincial Legislative Council last month. The first option was a forced removal from the province to Jakarta.

Secondly, Aspar could be suspended and last, Aspar could voluntarily resign from his position. Maneuvers to remove Aspar, entrenched in the province since the Suharto era, have been intensifying in recent months. However, Aspar seems intent on clinging to his position, despite the vote of no confidence.

Tuesday's clash began when around 800 Aspar-supporters staged a rally around 9.40am local time, in front of the Provincial Legislative Council. Arriving in two busses and two trucks, the all-male contingent immediately occupied the Council square and delivered orations. They criticised members of the council who passed the vote of no confidence and demanded that the council not suspend Aspar.

Some 1.5 km from the Council, around 900 hundred students from various universities in Pontianak staged another rally demanding Aspar resign. As in previous demonstrations, they delivered orations, burned tires and unfurled banners emblazoned with 'Trial Aspar Aswin and his corrupt cronies' and 'Aspar Aswin is no longer the governor, form a new administration'.

Initially, the students planned to stage their rally at the Council, but they cancelled the plan when it became known that hundreds of Aspar's supporters had already flocked to the Council. Later, the moved onto the Governor's office at Jl A Yani – only 500m from the Council building.

Aspar's supporters went to the Governor's office and started to chase the students. Trying to avoid a clash, the students ran away to the large nearby roundabout. However, Aspar's supporters continued to pursue them. A clash was unavoidable.

Students armed themselves with rocks and wooden sticks while many of Aspar's supporters were seen carrying sharp weapons. Seeing Aspar's supporters were better armed, the students pelted their foes with rocks and wood and then ran frantically in all directions. As this news goes on-line, no fatalities have been reported although the clash appears to be continuing sporadically.