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Nine suspects detained in wake of labor rally brawl

Source
Jakarta Globe - November 6, 2013

Bayu Marhaenjati – Police said on Monday that they had detained nine suspects in connection to a South Cikarang brawl between demonstrating workers and paramilitary group Pemuda Pancasila during last week's general strike.

"Ten people have been arrested," said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Cmr. Rikwanto. "Six were arrested [at the crime scene], three were arrested in Abacus and one in Jakarta." A tenth suspect was arrested and released pending trial because he is accused of destroying a motorcycle rather than assault.

Rikwanto would not elaborate on the identities of the suspects, but he did say that they included both workers and Pemuda Pancasila members.

Rikwanto said that twenty people were injured in the clash, which involving 15,000 workers and 500 members of Pemuda Pancasila. Afterwards, four people were admitted to Hosana hospital in Cikarang with serious injuries. Three remain hospitalized.

The Pemuda Pancasila members said they were angry at the strikers for threatening industries that provided jobs in the community, according to Rikwanto.

The organization is known for violent and thuggish incidents. In September, members attacked the Depok District Court in West Java.

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