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JAKARTA: (Bernama) A protest by university students in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua turned violent on Thursday (May 22), leaving four police officers injured and a police truck burned, authorities said.
Students from Cenderawasih University had gathered at the entrance of their Jayapura campus to demand reduced tuition fees.
Police said in a statement that the protest was not authorised and, although it began peacefully, tensions rose when students tried to block the campus gate, prompting a confrontation with officers.
"There was pushing and pulling between students and our personnel. It turned anarchic when stones were thrown at officers,” said Jayapura police chief Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen.
He said a police truck was set on fire and four officers sustained injuries ranging from bruises to lacerations, with all receiving treatment at Bhayangkara Police Hospital.
"No protesters have been arrested, but we’re working to identify individuals involved in the violence, including those responsible for the arson and attacks on officers,” he added.
Security forces, including military personnel, were deployed to support the area, while police remained outside the university grounds, guarding only the entrance throughout the demonstration. - Bernama
