E Mei Amelia R and Ari Saputra, Jakarta – Two demonstrators from the University of Indonesia (UI) Student Action Front (FAM) were assaulted during a scuffle with police at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Wednesday October 19 during a protest action to mark the second year of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono’s administration.

The two female students, Sonia and Nabiha, attempted to hold firm behind their male colleges but because the march was moving fast and the students pressed for time, the crowd became scattered and the two students were hit and elbowed in the face by male police officers.

The incident began after scores of students brought a stereo foam effigy of a buffalo head to the demonstration. Police suddenly moved in and seized the effigy but were blocked by students and a scuffle broke out that ensued for around 15 minutes. It was the end of this that that Sonia and Nabiha were struck by police.

“The police acted very excessively. They were very freighted and went overboard defending the president so our effigy was seized. Yet we were just going to hold a tolak bala ritual (to ward off evil spirits), not to insult the president. A buffalo head, in our society is customarily used for the tolak bala”, said action spokesperson Dimas.

Journalists assaulted

After forcibly breaking up the demonstration, police were then involved in an altercation with journalists covering the protest.

The incident took place when police tried to prevent journalists from taking pictures of a student that had fallen to the ground during the clash with police.

Three photographers said that they were assaulted by police officers. “I was taking photographs, suddenly I was hit in the back of the head”, said Indo Pos photographer Feri Pradolo and Pos Kota photographer Toga following the demonstration.

The altercation between police and journalists continued for around 15 minutes with both sides pushing and shoving each other puling at each others clothing. The situation only calmed down after Central Jakarta Police Chief Senior Commissioner AR Yoyol calmed his officers down, while the journalists were comforted by Media Indonesia senior photographer Gino Frankihadi.

Earlier, police had forcibly disbursed the demonstrating students who had set fire to photographs of President Yudhoyono, during which a scuffle broke out and two students were hit by police.

Scores arrested

By late afternoon at least 31 students had been taken into custody and are currently being questioned by police.

“So there are now 31 people who have been taken into custody by the Metro Jaya regional police. The action [was held] without prior notice”, said Metro Jaya public relations bureau chief Senior Commissioner Baharuddin Djafar at the Metro Jaya police station on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Jakarta.

According to Djafar, the student action earlier in the afternoon did not have a permit and in addition to detaining the 31 students, police have also taken custody of materials that were used at the demonstration. “Including materials that could violate social norms, we were safeguarding moral norms”, he explained.

When asked about the journalists who were assaulted by police, Djafar explained that he had yet to receive a report on the matter, adding that if journalists had indeed been assaulted, they should report it to the police.

[Abridged translation by James Balowski based on five reports by Detik.com.]