Clashes Break Out at UGM Student Protest, Several Students Injured

A road blockade by Gadjah Mada University students in Yogyakarta escalated into clashes with residents on Tuesday night, leaving several protesters with minor injuries and disrupting traffic for more than five hours.

The protest began around 4 p.m. at the Gramedia intersection and continued until about 10 p.m. Tensions rose after demonstrators blocked the road, prompting confrontations with residents who identified themselves as Jaga Warga.

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There was a misunderstanding between the protesters and residents after the road was blocked, which led to a minor altercation. However, the situation was brought under control.

Yogyakarta Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Ihsan said protesters and residents pushed one another, causing several students to fall as residents forced them back toward the UGM roundabout. The injured students received treatment before being evacuated independently in UGM ambulances to Panti Rapih Hospital. All later returned home that night.

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The injured protesters immediately received medical treatment and were evacuated independently in UGM ambulances to Panti Rapih Hospital. However, all of them were able to return home that same night.

Several officers securing the area were also hit by a spray believed to contain pepper spray and received treatment in police ambulances. Ihsan said police sought to protect the public's right to protest while maintaining a humane approach.

The first clash occurred around 7 p.m., when residents and students briefly chased each other toward Jalan Cik Di Tiro. A second confrontation broke out at about 9:45 p.m., as residents again pushed students north from the Gramedia intersection. The protesters dispersed around 10:15 p.m., after which traffic returned to normal and police increased patrols at strategic locations.

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The root of the problem is no longer about technical issues or policy, but the leadership of today's regime, which is chaotic and far removed from the Constitution.