LAKSAMANA.Net, November 14, 2004 02:59 AM
Papuan Rebels Attack Government Convoy
Laksamana.Net - Separatist rebels armed with bows and arrows, axes and spears
have attacked a convoy of local government officials and legislators in Papua province,
killing one police officer and injuring 12 officials, reports said Saturday (13/11/04).
About 100 members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) on Friday ambushed the
officials from Puncak Jaya district, who were traveling on motorbikes to Mulia town,
state news agency Antara reported.
Puncak Jaya district chief Eliezer Renmaur was quoted as saying the attackers killed
a police officer, identified as Yance Kiriyoma, and took away the body.
He said the rebels seriously wounded Mulia subdistrict head Mrs Rachel Elabi and
Puncak Jaya district administration official Yuni Wonda.
Three members of the Puncak Jaya district legislative assembly were lightly wounded,
as were seven other members of the convoy.
Renmaur said he had asked the provincial police chief to send Mobile Brigade
(Brimob) anti-riot officers to Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya, to deal with rebels.
Separately, provincial military chief Major General Nurdin Zainal said he had ordered
soldiers to help police find the attackers.
"Rebels attacked the officials with axes, swords and arrows and then ran off into the
jungle. I've ordered soldiers to help police in searching for the rebels," he was quoted
as saying by the Associated Press.
The local officials had been returning from a “humanitarian mission” during which
they visited refugees who fled their villages last month after rebels killed six migrant
workers from Sulawesi.
Copyright © 2000 - 2004 Laksamana.net, All Rights Reserved.
|
