TEACHER ARRESTED FOR INCITING DEMONSTRATORS IN MEDAN

Jakarta, Feb 8 (ANTARA) - Police in North Sumatra has arrested a junior high school teacher for joining a riot during a demonstration at the North Sumatra Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) building recently that led to the death of DPRD chairman.
National police spokesman Inspector General Abubakar Nataprawira said here Sunday evening the teacher identified as Torang Lumban Tobing was not only personally involved in the riots but also distributed cash to the demonstrators demanding the establishment of a new province.
"He is accused of violating Article 146 of the Criminal Code on threatening on the legislative body, Article 160 on mass instigation, and Article 55 on involvement in a criminal action," he said.
Abubakar said during interrogation the suspect confessed he had distributed Rp750,000 to two demonstrators to fund the action.
Besides him, police investigators have also arrested five other suspects raising the number of suspects already held to 31.
Abubakar said the number could still increase as investigation still continued.
The five other suspects held are known as Christian Manurung, Suprihandi Hutapea, Lintong Lumnatoruan, Sopan Simanungkalit and Maraga Banjarnahor.
"Christian confessed he distributed Rp600,000 to several demonstrators," he said.
Other suspects meanwhile confessed they received each Rp25,000 from Christian.
Earlier the police had also arrested two financiers namely Djumongkas Hutagaol and Tahan Panggabean.
Djumongkas was accused of financing the demonstration. He had extended Rp1.7 million to fund the action.
Tahan Panggabean had also been accused of funding the demonstration. Vice rector of local Sisingamangaraja University, Rudolf Manurung, was also held on a similar charge.
The suspects were also involved in the rioting that caused destruction of the DPRD office building. The DPRD chairman, Abdul Azis Angkat died of a heart attack in the midst of the rioting.