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Outcry greets disciplinary sanctions for police officers who assaulted protesters in Medan
Human rights groups said the sanctions would do nothing to create a deterrent effect, thus leaving officers free to repeat the excessive use of violence when handling protests.
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Students are sprayed with water from a police water cannon during a protest against the agrarian reform bill, the Criminal Code revision bill and other bills at the Malang Legislative Council building in East Java on Sept. 24. Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto (Antara/Ari Bowo Sucipto)
T
he North Sumatra Police have decided to hand down disciplinary sanctions for officers involved in assaults against protesting students in a recent rally in the provincial capital of Medan, triggering an outcry from activists who say that the punishment amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist.
Human rights groups said the sanctions would do nothing to create a deterrent effect, thus leaving officers free to repeat the excessive use of violence when handling protests.
A rally staged by university students in front of the North Sumatra Legislative Council (DPRD) complex in Medan turned sour on Sept. 24 resulting in a clash that led to dozens of students suffering injuries as police officers reportedly used excessive force against the demonstrators.
Video footage showing a student in a green alma mater jacket being beaten and kicked by several police officers made the rounds on social media, prompting the police to launch a probe into the case.
North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Agus Andrianto said that officers who were found to have been involved in the assaults were given disciplinary sanctions for “disobeying their superiors”.
“[They] were given disciplinary sanctions, not charged with a crime,” Agus said, “If they were charged with crimes, no police officer would be willing to secure public protests in the future.”
Agus said the officers dispatched to secure protests did their duty in the face of risks. He said the officers did what they did on the day because they were tired and for other reasons.
