Maryadi/BI & GB, Pontianak – Three university students have been injured after Mobile Brigade officers stormed the University of Tanjungpura campus in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The incident occurred after the students refused to release three police officers taken hostage in the hope of ensuring the release of fellow students detained by police.
The whole incident began when up to a hundred students under the auspices of the West Kalimantan Students Joint Action group demonstrated at the West Kalimantan Governor's office demanding that Governor, Aspar Aswin step down Thursday. The number of protestors increased two fold after they were joined by crowds of anti-Asparists apparently protesting at the West Kalimantan Provincial Legislative Council.
The real story behind who started the violence is not yet clear. According to the students, the protest turned into a physical confrontation after officials and security gaurds came out and threatened them with wooden sticks. However, the officials and gaurds said that the students were aggravating them by vandalising nearby lamp posts.
Both sides then began throwing rocks at each other until police arrived much later. It was reported that two building officials received head injuries at the time.
When the police did arrive, they started to chase the already retreating students. Three students identified as Sutarmidi, Raymond, and Michael from Universitas Panca Bakti were nabbed by the police. Realising that three of their fellow students had been caught, the group then began to throw rocks again. But this time they aimed at the police. The police hurriedly left the scene with the three students.
The protesting group retreated to a roundabout near the Tanjungpura University. Still furious that three of their comrades were captured, the students then began "sweeping" through the streets for policemen. The students stopped cars, including the vehicle of an officer named Samaran Hadi who happened to pass the students' barricade.
The students then torched the car and another two officers on a motor bike were also detained as they were trying to pass the crowds. The three policemen held by the students are the head of the legal office from the West Kalimantan Police, Superintendent Samaran Hadi, as well as 2nd Inspector M Wahyudi and 2nd Inspector Antoni.
Around one hundred members from the West Kalimantan Mobile Brigade Unit arrived at the blockade location and started to chase the students who were retreating inside the nearby Tanjungpura University compound. Warning shots were fired but the students continued to retreat with the three police officers. In order to curb the action, police cordoned off the university and its surrounding area.
A negotiation between student representatives and Pontianak police chief Senior Superintendent Suprojo WS was organised by the university chancellor Prof. Dr Syarif Ibrahim. However, it was a fruitless exercise as both sides refused to release those detained.
At approximately 4.30pm local time, the Mobile Brigade Unit was called in to assist to free the policeman held captive inside the university campus. The police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the students but they retaliated by throwing stones.
Three students were reported injured, but the injuries may increase as tension is still high around the university grounds. Two of the injured have been identified as Ansurullah and Taufik. They are being treated at Soedarso public hospital for serious injuries.
The police also reportedly damaged a vehicle parked in the university grounds and 50 motorbikes belonging to students. Several officers were seen beating students. Journalists covering the incident were also ordered to leave the area.