Papua soccer fans break into stadium
The Jakarta Post | Archipelago | Tue, January 25 2011, 3:52 PM
About 1,500 supporters of Wamena soccer team Persiwa forced their way into Mandala Stadium in Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday to watch the competition between their team and Persipura of Jayapura.
Police officers standing guard at the stadium fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd, but were forced to retreat as throngs of people without tickets continued their advance, kompas.com reported.
The situation inside the stadium reportedly grew tense.
Jayapura Police chief Adj.Snr.Com. Imam Setiawan, accompanied by deputy Com. Amazona Pelamonia and operations head Com. Dominggus Rumaropen acted to calm the crowd.
Nearly all of some 750 anti-riot officers assigned outside the stadium were sent inside to help control the situation and prevent any possible violence.
