Fracas at Makassar anti-corruption demonstration
Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar | Thu, 12/09/2010 9:25 PM
A riot broke out between hundreds of university students and police officers in front of the South Sulawesi governor’s office on Thursday, spilling over to the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) 200 meters away.
The fracas began when police prevented about 100 UMI students from meeting Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo to discuss their feelings on corruption during a demonstration to mark International Anti-Corruption Day.
A fight ensued, which flared up as students from other universities joined forces with UMI students.
The police used tear gas and rubber bullets, as well as two water cannons, on the students, but failed to deter them. The students themselves were equipped with stones and Molotov cocktails.
As many as 20 students were injured from rubber bullets and stones, while three policemen sustained injuries from hurled stones.
Makassar students marked anti-corruption day in other locations as well, including their campuses, the South Sulawesi High Court, and the Makassar District Court.
