Demonstration in Semarang Turns Chaotic, Dozens of People Injured

Demonstrations in Semarang ended in chaos. Dozens of people were injured and some were taken to hospital.
Demonstration in Semarang Turns Chaotic, Dozens of People Injured
English
By KRISTI DWI UTAMI
26 Agt 2024 23:15 WIB · English
SEMARANG, KOMPAS — The demonstration carried out by students, university students, and civil society members who are members of the Central Java People’s Movement to Sue in front of the Semarang City DPRD Building, Central Java, Monday (8/26/2024), ended in chaos. Dozens of people were reported injured and dozens of them were rushed to the hospital.
Before demonstrating in front of the Semarang City DPRD, the demonstrators had visited the Central Java DPRD Building on Monday afternoon. Since Monday morning, the location has been tightly guarded by the police. In fact, the police have closed access to the Central Java DPRD by installing barbed wire.
The crowd who were supposed to protest at the Central Java Regional Council then moved to the Semarang City Council. Upon arrival at the front gate of the Semarang City Council, the protesters delivered speeches.
Among other things, they demanded that the General Election Commission (KPU) immediately issue a KPU Regulation on the 2024 Pilkada, reject the revision of the TNI/Polri Draft Law (RUU), ask the DPR to ratify the Asset Confiscation Bill, reject the confiscation of living space in Central Java, and so on.
On Monday at around 18.10, the police ordered the protesters to disperse. The crowd refused and requested permission to enter the Semarang City DPRD Building.
Because the order was not carried out, the police then tried to push back the crowd by spraying water using a water cannon vehicle.
The action was then met with throws of rocks, wood, and bottles of mineral water by the protesters. The situation became increasingly uncontrollable after the police fired tear gas towards the crowd.
Also read: Student Demonstration in Semarang Ends in Chaos Again
The Legal Team of Gerakan Rakyat Jawa Tengah Menggugat (Geram) Fajar M Andhika stated that during the protest, tens of people suffered repressive actions from the police, such as being beaten, kicked, and choked. The tear gas fired directly into the crowd also resulted in several people experiencing shortness of breath.
“At least 33 people are injured, experiencing shortness of breath and fainting as a result of the incident. Dozens of them were taken to several nearby hospitals for medical treatment,” said Fajar on Monday evening.
In addition to receiving repressive actions, Andhika mentioned that dozens of protesters were arrested by the police. They were immediately taken to the Semarang Metropolitan Police to undergo an examination.
“We are trying to provide legal assistance to the arrested protesters. However, we are being hindered by the police. Whereas, those who are arrested have the right to access legal aid,” said Andhika.
Also read: Demonstration in Makassar Ends in Chaos
There were at least 33 people who suffered injuries, shortness of breath and fainting due to the incident.
Not only adult protesters, but also a number of child protesters were arrested. According to Andhika, these children were also interrogated without being accompanied by anyone.
“Examination of children cannot be equated with the examination of adults. They must be accompanied. If the right to assistance is not provided, it is tantamount to violating human rights,” he said.
Geram condemns the repressive actions taken by the authorities. Geram also urges the police to provide access to legal advisors to assist those who are arrested and questioned.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations for the Central Java Regional Police, Commissioner Artanto, stated that efforts to suppress the masses by spraying water and firing tear gas were a last resort. Previously, Artanto stated that the police had given warnings, but they were ignored.
“They instead carried out anarchic efforts, such as throwing bricks, wood, stones, and so on so that the situation became chaotic. When we tried to push the crowd, they instead damaged plant pots around the location and used broken pots to throw at officers. So, we took action in accordance with standard procedures to disperse the crowd,” said Artanto.
Also read: AJI Semarang Condemns Repressive Actions by Authorities in Demonstrations in Semarang
The chaos in the previous demonstration occurred on Thursday (8/22/2024) in front of the Central Java DPRD Building. In that incident, at least 18 people were rushed to the hospital because they suffered injuries, fainting, and shortness of breath.
Semarang Police Chief, Commissioner Irwan Anwar, has stated that for the time being, demonstrations in his area may be prohibited to prevent similar incidents from recurring. “Based on and considering the events tonight, (prohibition will be imposed),” he said.
Also read: Protest in Semarang Turns Chaotic, Dozens of People Rushed to Hospital
According to Irwan, the unrest during the demonstration on Monday night caused one police officer to be injured in the face. Moving forward, data collection will continue to be carried out to determine the number of police and protestors who are injured.
To secure the demonstration on Monday, the Semarang City Police deployed 1,541 personnel. The deployed personnel consisted of members of the Semarang City Police as well as police stations around Semarang.
SEMARANG, KOMPAS — The demonstration carried out by students, university students, and civil society members who are members of the Central Java People’s Movement to Sue in front of the Semarang City DPRD Building, Central Java, Monday (8/26/2024), ended in chaos. Dozens of people were reported injured and dozens of them were rushed to the hospital.
Before demonstrating in front of the Semarang City DPRD, the demonstrators had visited the Central Java DPRD Building on Monday afternoon. Since Monday morning, the location has been tightly guarded by the police. In fact, the police have closed access to the Central Java DPRD by installing barbed wire.
The crowd who were supposed to protest at the Central Java Regional Council then moved to the Semarang City Council. Upon arrival at the front gate of the Semarang City Council, the protesters delivered speeches.
Among other things, they demanded that the General Election Commission (KPU) immediately issue a KPU Regulation on the 2024 Pilkada, reject the revision of the TNI/Polri Draft Law (RUU), ask the DPR to ratify the Asset Confiscation Bill, reject the confiscation of living space in Central Java, and so on.
On Monday at around 18.10, the police ordered the protesters to disperse. The crowd refused and requested permission to enter the Semarang City DPRD Building.
Because the order was not carried out, the police then tried to push back the crowd by spraying water using a water cannon vehicle.
The action was then met with throws of rocks, wood, and bottles of mineral water by the protesters. The situation became increasingly uncontrollable after the police fired tear gas towards the crowd.
Also read: Student Demonstration in Semarang Ends in Chaos Again
The Legal Team of Gerakan Rakyat Jawa Tengah Menggugat (Geram) Fajar M Andhika stated that during the protest, tens of people suffered repressive actions from the police, such as being beaten, kicked, and choked. The tear gas fired directly into the crowd also resulted in several people experiencing shortness of breath.
“At least 33 people are injured, experiencing shortness of breath and fainting as a result of the incident. Dozens of them were taken to several nearby hospitals for medical treatment,” said Fajar on Monday evening.
In addition to receiving repressive actions, Andhika mentioned that dozens of protesters were arrested by the police. They were immediately taken to the Semarang Metropolitan Police to undergo an examination.
“We are trying to provide legal assistance to the arrested protesters. However, we are being hindered by the police. Whereas, those who are arrested have the right to access legal aid,” said Andhika.
Also read: Demonstration in Makassar Ends in Chaos
There were at least 33 people who suffered injuries, shortness of breath and fainting due to the incident.
Not only adult protesters, but also a number of child protesters were arrested. According to Andhika, these children were also interrogated without being accompanied by anyone.
“Examination of children cannot be equated with the examination of adults. They must be accompanied. If the right to assistance is not provided, it is tantamount to violating human rights,” he said.
Geram condemns the repressive actions taken by the authorities. Geram also urges the police to provide access to legal advisors to assist those who are arrested and questioned.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations for the Central Java Regional Police, Commissioner Artanto, stated that efforts to suppress the masses by spraying water and firing tear gas were a last resort. Previously, Artanto stated that the police had given warnings, but they were ignored.
“They instead carried out anarchic efforts, such as throwing bricks, wood, stones, and so on so that the situation became chaotic. When we tried to push the crowd, they instead damaged plant pots around the location and used broken pots to throw at officers. So, we took action in accordance with standard procedures to disperse the crowd,” said Artanto.
Also read: AJI Semarang Condemns Repressive Actions by Authorities in Demonstrations in Semarang
The chaos in the previous demonstration occurred on Thursday (8/22/2024) in front of the Central Java DPRD Building. In that incident, at least 18 people were rushed to the hospital because they suffered injuries, fainting, and shortness of breath.
Semarang Police Chief, Commissioner Irwan Anwar, has stated that for the time being, demonstrations in his area may be prohibited to prevent similar incidents from recurring. “Based on and considering the events tonight, (prohibition will be imposed),” he said.
Also read: Protest in Semarang Turns Chaotic, Dozens of People Rushed to Hospital
According to Irwan, the unrest during the demonstration on Monday night caused one police officer to be injured in the face. Moving forward, data collection will continue to be carried out to determine the number of police and protestors who are injured.
To secure the demonstration on Monday, the Semarang City Police deployed 1,541 personnel. The deployed personnel consisted of members of the Semarang City Police as well as police stations around Semarang.
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