Those who tested positive for consuming crystal meth and carried sharp weapons will (undergo due legal process).Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The Makassar City Police in South Sulawesi province reported that 9 out of 64 demonstrators detained during a chaotic rally on Monday have tested positive for drugs.
"As many as 64 people were detained during the rally yesterday. Based on the result of the examination, nine people have tested positive for crystal meth," chief of the Makassar City Police, Senior Commissioner Budhi Haryanto, said on Tuesday.
They tested positive for consuming crystal methamphetamine in a urine test, he added.
The case will be processed for further investigation, he said.
During the rally, the police also detained three demonstrators for carrying sharp weapons, he added.
"Those who tested positive for consuming crystal meth and carried sharp weapons will (undergo due legal process)," he said.
Related news: Government regrets violent acts against activist Ade Armando
The 64 demonstrators were detained in different locations over their involvement in clashes, such as below a flyover, near Universitas Muslim Indonesia (UMI) campus on Urip Sumoharjo Street, Universitas Negeri Makassar campus on Andi Pangeran Pettarani Street, and Unismuh campus on Sultan Alauddin Street.
Earlier, chief of the South Sulawesi Provincial Police, Inspector General Nana Sudjana, had said that an estimated two thousand people took to the streets on Monday.
It is believed that a group of infiltrators got involved in the protest to cause chaos and clashes.
The chaos began when a group of irresponsible people threw stones at the fence and the office of the South Sulawesi Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) to provoke the masses.
"We have warned them to stop throwing stones because they would cause damage to the government office and legislative council building. However, the warning went unheeded,” he said.
"We had no other choice but to push them. We have made a persuasive approach but they ignored it, so forcibly, (we) fired tear gas,” he added.
Related news: Govt will heed demands raised by student demonstrators: VP
Related news: DPR ready to facilitate students' demands: House Speaker
Translator: M Darwin Fatir, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
