Civilians Allegedly Attacked During Anniversary Celebration in Papua

December 01, 2011


Four civilians were allegedly shot by police and military after conducting religious services in Timika Indah field to celebrate West Papuan independence on Thursday.

“Police and military attacked the mass and shot four people after the raising of Morning Star flag in Timika Indah field,” Markus Haluk, a member of the Papuan Customary Council, told the Jakarta Globe.

According to Markus, the victims, Fero Anggaibak, Viktor Wamang, Alpinus Uamang and Jemago Elas, are still alive and undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The service in Timika Indah field started at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning and ended with the raising the of the Morning Star flag, a symbol of independence, a half hour later.

“They attacked thousands of people who were participating in a peaceful service from their combat vehicles,” Markus said. “Six people were arrested and taken to the police office in Timika.”

Maj. Gen. Erfi Triassunu, commander of the Cendrawasih Military Command that oversees military operations in Papua, denied that the incident took place.

“We used persuasive methods in dispersing them, no shooting at all,” Erfi told the Jakarta Globe. “They tried to raise the flag, and police prevented it. Sometimes the report is being exaggerated. We only confiscated the flag.”

Markus, who was in Sentani, said the anniversary of West Papua independence was celebrated in 35 districts.

“In Sentani, we celebrated the independence at Theys’ [Eluay] grave site,” Markus said. “It was also celebrated in Jayapura, Manokwari, Wamena, Nabire. Some of the celebrations were centralized out in the open, but some others were in churches. People also raised flags on some mountains.”

He said that people are now gathering again in Timika Indah field after being dispersed.

“They would not leave the field until police released the six Papuan people detained in the Timika police office,” he said.

In Manokwari, according to Westpapuamedia.info, people were holding a 100 meter long banner that read “The Federal Republic of West Papua” featuring photos of President Forkorus Yaboisembut and Prime Minister Edison Waromi.




(x the JG)