Clash in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, Kills SixSix people were killed and two others injured as Indonesian police and supporters of the Free Papua Movement in Irian Jaya province clashed in Merauke district on Saturday, December 2.The incident broke out when supporters of the separatist movement hoisted the Morning Star flag at 7:00 a.m. local time at the government square in the coastal town of Merauke. Two hours later they lowered the flag and dispersed, Antara news agency reported from Jayapura, capital of Irian Jaya province. Some of them, however, returned to the square bringing arrows and knives, and insisted that the flag be raised, sparking a clash with the police. Merauke district head Hubla Gebze, who was at the scene when the incident took place, said some supporters of the separatist group had lowered the Indonesian red-and-white flags at the local tourism office and the provincial development agency, and tore them. Previously, the local government and the Papua Presidium Council have agreed to hoist the Morning Star flag only on Friday when the separatist movement commemorates the 39th anniversary of the unrecognized "independence" of Papua, as they call Irian Jaya. Meanwhile, the provincial capital of Jayapura was calm on Saturday, after police lowered the Morning Star flag the night before. The people have resumed their daily activities, shops and markets were open, and public transportation plied their routes, said Antara. Hundreds of supporters of the separatist movement attended a ceremony on Friday in Jayapura to commemorate the Papuan " independence", but no incident took place. The Indonesian government had tightened its security control in Irian Jaya since last week because some separatist groups claimed that they would announce independence on December 1 when they mark the 39th anniversary of "independence". Jakarta has flatly ruled out independence for Irian Jaya, which is rich in timber, oil and gas and other minerals. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |