TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police said that the violence that occurred during a protest outside the Home Affairs Ministry yesterday was due to miscommunication.
The Jakarta Police's spokesman Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said that the violence broke after the ministry failed to send out its official to speak with the protesters from Tolikara, Papua.
"When the ministry could, [the protesters] couldn’t, and vice versa," Argo said in Jakarta, Wednesday.
According to Argo, 30 people staged a protest outside the ministry's building. They are students, workers and civilian from Tolikara who live in Jakarta.
Argo said they have been coming to the Home Affairs Ministry's building for two months now, protesting the Tolikara elections dispute currently being handled by the Constitutional Court.
"This clash was not premeditated," Argo said.
Read: Violent Protest at Home Ministry; Police Arrest 15
The violence that broke left six of the ministry's workers injured. It began when protesters were waiting for three representatives who were promised to meet with Ministry officials.
At around 15:00, the protesters grew tired of waiting and started entering the office area. Ministry employees defended themselves and the protesters ran through the gates.
The police have arrested 15 people allegedly involved in the violence and took evidences such as broken flower pots, broken glasses, and damaged cars.
Those who are proven guilty of vandalism will be charged for committing violence against people or destructing goods.
Adam Prireza