Monday, November 26, 2007

The Hindraf gathering

  • Hindraf did not receive permission from authorities to hold the gathering; Hindraf leaders quoted their rights under the Federal Constitution to hold a peaceful assembly without arms.
  • Three Hindraf leaders were arrested Friday. Two of them posted bail. They were warned not to allow the Sunday demonstration to take place.
  • In total, more than 240 were arested.
  • Four policemen were injured. One required 11 stitches on his head. No injuries on the Hindraf supporters side were reported by the mainstream media (The Star, New Straits Times).
  • Seven police vehicles damaged by rocks and stones.
  • Batu Caves temple committee reported damaged property when protesters broke in.
  • An unidentified bus was burned by a molotov cocktail.
  • Guard rails and flower pots along Jalan Ampang were damaged.
  • New Straits Times quoted Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan saying "...at no time did we use any force, including water cannon or tear gas, in and around the temple vicinity." Screenshots had photos showing exactly the opposite.
    Update [27Nov2007]: SAC Jamaluddin admitted that tear gas and water cannon was used. Batu Caves supervisor stated the temples were not damaged.
  • Businesses on Jalan Ampang were mostly closed in fear of possible riots.
  • Police allowed six leaders [from the protesters] to hand the memorandum [to the British High Commission] but there were no takers. Extracted from New Straits Times.
  • None of the Hindraf leaders were seen until after 1.30pm, when Uthayakumar showed up.
  • No indication of an attempt to hand over a memorandum to British High Commission. IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan stated: "Police had been ready to negotiate with Hindraf leaders, but they were nowhere in sight. They emerged about 1.30pm, gave a few speeches and dispersed." Extracted from NST.
  • Ampang Park and KLCC LRT Stations were closed from 6.00am to about 3.15pm.

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