Police arrested eight students after breaking up a protest action opposing the Public Housing Savings (Tapera) Program and several other anti-people policies at the Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh) in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar.
"Yes, that's correct, from the students we secured eight people", said Makassar Metropolitan District Police Chief (Kapolrestabes) Senior Commissioner Mokhamad Ngajib on Monday July 8.
Ngajib said that during the process of breaking up the student protest action, one of the police officers allegedly fell after being involved in a scuffle with students and was left sprawled on the road.
"There was one victim, a police officer was injured in the head and had two stitches. They are currently being treated at the Bhayangkara Hospital", he revealed.
During the action, the students closed off Jalan Sultan Alauddin which connects Makassar city with Gowa regency causing a long traffic jam. The students also set fire to old tyres during the action.
In addition to this, the students also high-jacked a container truck which was then used as a platform to convey their aspirations opposing the Tapera policy and several draft laws that will curb democracy in Indonesia.
"[We] strongly oppose the Tapera policy that brings suffering to the ordinary people. Stop stifling democracy. Realise free education and reject political dynasties", said action coordinator Ahlus in a speech.
The student action high-jacking the truck which caused congestion on the Trans Sulawesi Highway was the pretext used by police to take firm action against the students and break up the protest. (mir/DAL)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was " Demo Tolak Tapera di Makassar: 8 Mahasiswa Ditangkap, 1 Polisi Luka".]
