Banjir Ambarita
JAYAPURA (Jakarta Post/Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch): A policeman was assaulted and his firearm stolen during a fundraising event in the eastern province of Papua on Thursday, Indonesian police have told the Jakarta Globe.
But other reports have claimed that at least one protester was shot dead in the crackdown on what was believed to be a fundraising for the the Cyclone Pam victims in Vanuatu.
Police said a member of the pro-independence West Papua National Committee (KNPB) attacked Second Inspector Budi Santoso while police were trying to break up the fundraising event in Yahukimo district.
Police believe the KNPB is affiliated to the armed Free Papua Movement (OPM), which continues to stage a low-level armed insurgency against Jakarta’s rule over Papua.
“When the police were trying to dismiss the KNPB fundraising event, one of the officers was attacked and his revolver was snatched,” Papua police spokesman Patrige Renwarin said.
Police believe one of the KNPB members snatched the firearm and have launched a search operation.
“After snatching the gun, the perpetrator ran away and we are still searching for him,” Patrige said.
Patrige said the police decided to break up the event because the KNPB did not have a permit to hold a fundraiser.
The KNPB responded angrily to the police intervention and tensions quickly escalated between the crowd and officers at the scene. Patrige said the situation in Yahukimo remained tense on Thursday afternoon.
Earlier report
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Pacific Media Watch
