Students reject SBY visit, clash with police

MAKASSAR: Rallies to reject a planned visit by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono turned violent Monday with the protesting students clashing with police.

The president is scheduled to visit the province on Tuesday.

Clashes flared up when police officers attempted to break up a rally in front of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) Makassar.

Demonstrating students obstructed a passing fuel truck and blocked a road. The police came to quell the rally after it began to disrupt traffic.

The students resisted by hurling rocks and other projectiles at the police. Police fired warning shots that seemed to have little effect on the crowd. “We do not have the right to stop the students from demonstrating, but it would be wise for them to control their tempers and uphold public order. The President’s visit should be welcomed peacefully,” Police chief Insp. Gen Johny Waenal Usman said. — JP