CNN, Thursday, March 16, 2006; Posted: 11:53 p.m. EST (04:53 GMT)
Indonesia city tense after protest
[PHOTO: Indonesian police help a plain clothed officer after clashes in an
anti-Freeport demonstration, Thursday.]
JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) -- Hundreds of Indonesian troops patrolled the tense city
of Jayapura after a mob bludgeoned to death four security officers during a protest
demanding the closure of a U.S.-owned gold mine. Police said they arrested 57
people.
The killings Thursday in the capital of Indonesia's Papua province underscored the
deep hatred many Papuans feel toward the mine, run by Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold Inc., as well as Indonesian security forces in the region, which is home to a
decades-long separatist movement.
Rock-throwing protesters went on a rampage after clashing with police who tried to
break up their rally. Security forces were seen shooting in the direction of the crowd,
and beating protesters with sticks.
Indonesia's president sent top security chiefs to the remote region to probe the
unrest, and hundreds of gun-toting paramilitary police stood guard near the state-run
university, the site of the demonstration. The campus was largely deserted on Friday.
"Indonesia should respect the Papuans," said one student, Robi Kubi, who was
waiting at the airport as the bodies of the slain officers were flown to their hometowns.
"We have huge natural resources, but why are they extracted by foreigners while the
Papuans are still poor?"
Police Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said police had so far detained 57 people, five
of which had been formally been declared suspects. He said the five would be charged
with crimes including murder and destroying public facilities.
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