The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fri, 06/08/2012
An independent human rights group, West Papua Media, has accused the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police as those responsible for the deaths of eight civilians -- three of whom were killed instantly -- during Thursday’s rampage in Wamena, Papua.
The group has posted a disclaimer, however, saying that its report, which is available online at westpapuamedia.info, is a preliminary report only; further assessment needs to be carried out by local human right workers.
Aside from the fatalities, 19 people reportedly suffered injuries, 100 private homes were razed by arson attacks and 22 privately owned pigs were killed.
The group has also published a slideshow illustrating the extent of the damage following the incident plus a video of an unidentified Wamena boy who was allegedly shot by soldiers during the rampage.
The report also claims that personnel from the police’s Mobile Brigade [Brimob] unit and antiterrorism unit, Densus 88, were present and supported the attacks.
The soldiers ran amok and screened civilians after one of their members was killed after running over and fatally injuring a small boy in Wamena on Wednesday afternoon.
Cendrawasih Military Command XVII information division head, Col. Hamdan Ali Bogra, has denied that the soldiers ran amok in retaliation, saying that two shops were burned by the crowd and not by the soldiers.
za 9 jun 2012 - 0:05