Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Thousands of protesters are occupying Polonia International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, as part of a rally against the proposed fuel price hike.

The occupation by the protesters, grouped under the North Sumatra Residents' Congress flag, began at 12:30 p.m. Monday and paralyzed the airport, forcing airlines to delay flights. The demonstration also disrupted the distribution of fuel to the airport.

A number of passengers were forced to walk 500 meters to enter the airport as all access roads to the airport were blocked by the protesters.

Tensions between protesters and security officers escalated at around 4:30 p.m. before police used water canons to control the situation. North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Wisjnu Amat Sastro reprimanded the Polonia Air Force Base commander for not being available at the airport during the protest.

The demonstrators have asked a number of province officials, including Governor Gatot Pujonugroho, to come to the airport and respond their demand of the signing of a petition against the central government's plan to increase subsidized-fuel prices. No provincial officials were at the airport at the time of publication. (swd)