Battle of Bernadiktus' nose ends in tears at Tangerang

The visit of National Police Deputy Chief Gen. Comr. Nanan Sukarna to Pamulang University (Unpam), South Tangerang on Thursday ended in a fracas between dozens of students and the police.

The clash began with a demonstration by students against the visit of Nanan, who was invited by the university to give public lecture, according to Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto. The demonstration started out peacefully but took a violent turn when the students tried to stage the protest in the street. One of the protesting students Bernadiktus Mega Pradita, 20, was punched on the nose by someone whom he believed to be a police officer.

“I didn’t see who punched me but I believe the blow came from one of the police officers,” Bernadiktus said.

The punch inflamed the ire of other students which led to shoving between police officers and the students.

The students then began to hit the officers with bamboo sticks and breached the blockade. They proceeded to climb onto police trucks parked in front of the campus and collected police riot shields from inside the trucks.

According to Rikwanto, the students also threw rocks at Pamulang Police Precinct opposite the campus. Besides stoning the precinct, the students also attacked police cars, including the Ford Ranger which escorted Nanan and a Toyota Soluna belonging to an officer. The police pushed the students back into the campus by firing tear gas. The clash left some police officers and one student injured.

Among the injured were Second Adj. Insp. Supeno, Second Adj. Insp. Samsudin, First Brig. Sulistiyo, First Brig. Dedi and Brig. Suyana, whose little finger was broken. One student, Jundi Fajrin, was also injured.

Rikwanto made no mention of Bernadiktus’ punch in the nose which kicked the whole thing off. (han)