Pamekasan Students Destroy Campus Facilities During Demonstration Demand UKT Cuts Become Suspects

PAMEKASAN - The Pamekasan Police Criminal Investigation Team ensnared multiple layers of articles against five students who destroyed campus facilities during a demonstration demanding a single tuition fee cut (UKT) on July 30.

"Four of the students who perpetrated the vandalism were charged with Article 170 and Article 406 of the Criminal Code," said Head of Public Relations of the Pamekasan Police AKP Nining Dyah in Pamekasan, East Java, quoted by Antara, Monday, August 9.

The four students each with the initials IFD (21), MDA (21), both residents from Pademawu District, then IT (20) from Proppo District, and MAK (20) from Pakong District, Pamekasan.

IFD and MDA were arrested by the Pamekasan Police Criminal Investigation Team on August 2, 2021, IT on August 3, while MAK on August 4, 2021.

Nining explained that the threat of snaring article 170 is about beatings, while article 406 is about destruction.

One other suspect was charged with five articles, namely the Student President (Presma) of the Madura State Islamic Institute (IAIN) with the initials SB, Article 160, 170 paragraph (1), Article 187 paragraph (1) to (1) and Article 406 paragraph (1 ) KUHP Jo 55 KUHP.

"This SB is charged with five articles, because he is the initiator, mover and field coordinator of the riot at the IAIN Madura campus that occurred on July 30, 2021," said Nining.

SB had been missing for nine days, then surrendered to the Pamekasan Police Headquarters on 7 August.

According to Nining, the total number of suspects in the riot at the IAIN Madura campus was eight people. Five have been arrested, while three others are still at large and are on the wanted list (DPO) of the Pamekasan Police Criminal Investigation Team.

The case of the riot, which was initiated by Presma IAIN Madura, demanded a 50 percent decrease in UKT from the 30 percent set by the campus.

Initially the demonstration was peaceful, but in its development it turned into a rib. A number of campus facilities were damaged, such as hall mirrors, and the security post was burned by protesters led by the Presma IAIN Madura with the initials SB.

Previously, the Chancellor of IAIN Madura, Dr. Mohammad Kosim, stated that the violent demonstration that led to the destruction of campus facilities had exceeded the moral and ethical limits of students, especially by students on Islamic campuses.

Therefore, he asked the police to thoroughly investigate the case, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

"Please convey your aspirations, because this country is a democratic country, but do not carry out such destruction, because whatever the reason, violence and destruction is a form of unlawful act," said Kosim.