Students Pull Down Gates of Parliament

At least 2,000 student protesters tore down the gates of Indonesia’s parliament and threw bottles at riot police during a demonstration in Jakarta against President B. J. Habibie. Officers later corralled them in a parking lot, but the students vowed to stay outside the parliament building until their demands--including Habibie’s resignation and a trial for former President Suharto--were met. The 300 or so students still there more than 12 hours later were forced from the grounds by security forces wielding batons and carrying shields. Student leaders said 10 protesters were injured during the eviction, to which students responded by throwing glass bottles and other objects. At least two students were stabbed with bayonets and five taken to hospitals after inhaling tear gas, news reports and witnesses said. A police spokesman said five officers were injured. In a separate incident, thousands of people rampaged in the town of Kebumen, burning and looting Chinese-owned shops and cars. There were no reports of injuries.