Eight UGM students among detainees as university questions arrests and alleged police violence.
A demonstration marking Indonesia’s Heroes’ Day in Yogyakarta has raised questions about police conduct after unrest broke out in parts of the city and authorities detained numerous people, including university students.
Police Detain 157 After Yogyakarta Unrest
Yogyakarta Regional Police said 157 people were detained following unrest that developed after demonstrations on November 10, including 21 minors. Police alleged that some individuals were involved in stone throwing, vandalism, and other violent acts, and said officers were examining each detainee’s role before determining further legal action.
Eight UGM Students Confirmed Among Detainees
Gadjah Mada University (UGM) said eight of its students were among those reportedly detained, including six from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, one from the Faculty of Philosophy, and one from the Faculty of Forestry. University officials said they were working to establish the students’ whereabouts and legal status while providing assistance.
University Raises Concern Over Possible Wrongful Arrests
UGM officials raised concerns that some students may have been detained while collecting their vehicles or leaving the protest area, rather than taking part in the unrest. The university sought clarification of the students’ legal status and assistance for those affected. Members of the university’s academic community also criticized alleged violence by authorities and called for a more measured response to public demonstrations.
Police Deny Entering UGM Campus
Yogyakarta police denied allegations that officers and tactical vehicles entered the UGM campus during the operation. Yogyakarta Regional Police Chief Inspector General Langgeng Purnomo said officers remained approximately 30 to 50 meters outside the campus boundary as crowds moved toward the UGM roundabout from Malioboro. He also said police did not use tear gas or water cannon at the campus boundary. Separately, university officials raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding several students’ arrests.
Legal Aid Groups Document Complaints
Legal-aid organizations also raised concerns about the treatment of demonstrators. In an update published on November 12, LBH Yogyakarta’s Bara Adil legal team reported receiving 103 complaints by 9 p.m. on November 11, involving people who had been detained, were temporarily unaccounted for, or had been injured. The group said it was checking those reports against police records and had assisted 55 detainees who were subsequently released. It also raised allegations of excessive force and improper arrests, which require independent investigation.
The Yogyakarta unrest has shifted attention from the protesters’ original demands toward questions over arrests, police conduct, and the protection of students during demonstrations. For Indonesians, the incident highlights the importance of distinguishing peaceful demonstrators from individuals accused of violence while ensuring due process for those detained. For Singaporeans, the events provide a window into evolving political and civic tensions in neighboring Indonesia.
Sources: EN Tempo (2026) , Kompas (2026)
Keywords: Yogyakarta Protest, UGM Student Arrests, Heroes Day Demonstration, Polda DIY, Student Demonstration, Indonesia Protest
