Dozens of journalists rallied outside the Trenggalek Police headquarters in East Java on Tuesday to protest the assault of a colleague by a civil servant on Friday.

Hamzah Abdillah, the coordinator of the protest, said the journalists were demanding the police take action against the transportation agency official accused of punching Yusuf Ashari, a reporter with the Harian Duta daily newspaper.

The incident reportedly occurred after Yusuf had asked the official, Indra Irawan, whether he was wanted for drug-related offenses, prompting the official to lash out.

Police have said they are investigating the case, while Joko Wasono, the district inspector, said Indra would be suspended pending the outcome of the probe.