Protests in Indonesia: Police Use Tear Gas at University Area, Students Allege Repression

Protests across Indonesia over increased government spending and the death of a motorcyclist in a police vehicle incident have intensified. On Tuesday, in Bandung, police fired tear gas at protesters in front of the Islamic University of Bandung (UNISBA) and the adjacent Pasundan University to disperse the crowds.

Local students alleged that the security forces used not only tear gas but also rubber bullets. Muhammad Ilham, a student of Pasundan University, said, “One of our classmates was hit twice by rubber bullets.”

According to government sources, at least eight people have been killed during the protests over the past week. The country’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, confirmed this information.

The police stated that they did not enter the university campus, but measures had to be taken to control the crowd as protesters took refuge inside. UNISBA Rector Harits Nu’man also mentioned that the campus was being used as a temporary medical hub to treat injured protesters.

Meanwhile, UNISBA’s student organization rejected the police statement, alleging that the security forces intentionally attacked the campus to intimidate students. They also claimed that many students suffered from respiratory problems due to tear gas.