The Jakarta Post, 1/20/2006 7:20:33 PM
Security forces open fire on protesters in Papua, kill one
JAKARTA (AP): Indonesian security forces opened fire on a group of protesters
outside a police station in restive Papua province on Friday, killing one person and
injuring two others, a police spokesman said.
The clash occurred in the central town of Paniai, said Sr. Comr. Kertono
Wangsadisastra.
The incident began after three people arrived at the station to complain about officers
who earlier in the day had prevented them from asking for money from passing
motorists, he said. Soon after, around 100 other people gathered at the station.
"The civilians got angry and started beating the police and soldiers," Kertono said.
"Then shooting occurred."
He said one person was killed and two others were wounded.
Another police officer said none of the protesters were armed, and that an
investigation had been ordered into the incident.
It was not immediately possible to reach independent witnesses to Friday's clashes.
Papua was integrated into Indonesia after a referendum in 1969.
Police and soldiers have been repeatedly accused by local and international rights
groups of abuses in the oil and gas rich region in the country's far east. (**)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
