A student protest at Cenderawasih University (Uncen) against the proposed increase in the Single Tuition Fee (UKT) turned violent on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The initially peaceful demonstration at the Uncen Upper Gate in Heram District, Jayapura City, escalated into clashes with security forces, leaving four police officers injured and a Dalmas truck set on fire by the protesters.
According to gathered reports, the demonstration began at 10:00 AM WIT with speeches rejecting the university's policy. However, tensions mounted when students blocked access to the main gate of the campus, disrupting academic activities.
“There was friction between the students and the security forces as they tried to block access to the campus. A confrontation was inevitable when both sides engaged in pushing and pulling,” said Jayapura City Police Chief AKBP Fredrickus Maclarimboen, during an interview at the scene.
The police chief noted that the clash had similarities to the tragic Abepura incident in 2006. He revealed that the protestors appeared to be divided into three separate groups approaching from different directions.
“The group at the gate initially agreed to negotiate, but suddenly another group from the upper campus blocked all the gates, sparking chaos,” explained Fredrickus.
Stones, broken bottles, and tree branches littered the roads leading to the campus. "Along the road to Uncen, large stones had been strategically placed. We suspect this was premeditated," he added.
The climax of the unrest occurred when a Dalmas truck belonging to the Jayapura City Police was set on fire by the protesters. The vehicle of the Police Chief was also damaged, with its hood and sides pelted by stones.
As a result of the violence, four police officers sustained serious injuries, including:
• AKP Rischard L. Rumboy – Head of Samapta Unit
• Aipda Nursalam
• Briptu Aan Krisanto
• Briptu Dicky
"All of the victims were injured from stone-throwing. Some sustained head injuries and bleeding," said Fredrickus.
The injured officers are currently receiving intensive treatment at the Bhayangkara Hospital in Jayapura.
Despite the tense situation, by 2:00 PM WIT, no students had been arrested. The police stated that they would soon identify the individuals responsible for the arson and the organizers of the protest.
“It must be emphasized that this protest did not have permission from the police. Our personnel were only stationed outside the campus and did not enter," Fredrickus firmly stated.
On the ground, numerous stones were scattered across the streets, shops were closed, and access to the campus remained heavily guarded by joint forces from the Jayapura City Police, Papua Police, Brimob, and the 1701/Jayapura Military Command.
Traffic was reported to be normal, but security forces remained on high alert to prevent further unrest.