The demonstrators we detained are believed to be provocateurs as they hurled (stones at police during the rally),Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Police detained 26 demonstrators who clashed with security personnel during a rally outside the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) Monday. The 26 demonstrators comprised 24 university students and two ordinary citizens, Chief of the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police Inspector General Nana Sudjana said.
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"The demonstrators we detained are believed to be provocateurs as they hurled (stones at police during the rally)," he said.
The police are questioning the demonstrators to examine their respective roles in the rally which ended in the clash, he said.
"We are still profoundly studying their roles. We will look at the evidence in the form of videos and photos," he said.
The police were compelled to disperse the rally because it went on beyond the designated time at 6.00 p.m. as per the law. However, the demonstrators who numbered 250 insisted on staging the rally and hurled stones at security personnel, Nana said.
As a result, five police officers and one soldier sustained injuries, he said
Asked if the demonstrators would be released soon, he said that would depend on the investigation.
"We will look at the results of the investigation. If they are not proven guilty, we will take a persuasive approach," he said. (INE)
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Translator: Nur Imansyah/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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