8 traditional miners shot dead in Paniai, PapuaThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Wed, 11/16/2011 10:15 AM
Eight civilians were reportedly shot dead at a traditional gold mining site on the Degeuwo River in Paniai regency, Papua.
The shooting allegedly took place at about 10 a.m. on Sunday, Matius Murid, the deputy chief of the Papua office of the National Commission on Human Rights, said Wednesday in Jakarta.
“We’re still investigating what caused the shooting and what actually happened. Some people have given some information, but it’s still not clear yet,” Matius said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.
“We still don’t know what motivated the shooting or exactly how [the victims] died,” he said.
The eight dead victims were allegedly shot while panning for gold on the river, Matius said.
The victims were Matias Tenouye (30), Simon Adii (35), Yoel Ogetay (30), Petrus Gobay (40), Benyamin Gobay (25), Marius Maday (35), Matias Anoka (40) and Yus Pigome (50).
Matius added that dozens of people near the scene of the incident had fled after being traumatized by the shooting.
Meanwhile, Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said his office had not received any reports on the shooting.
wo 16 nov 2011 - 16:33