Irian Easter procession banned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The authorities in Irian Jaya, which was rocked
\nby a series of violent protests recently, have banned the
\nprovince's traditional Easter procession for security reasons.<\/p>\n
The procession was scheduled for April 7.<\/p>\n
Officials said that the March 18 rioting in Abepura, near the
\nIrian Jaya capital of Jayapura, sparked a security concern that
\ndoes not allow outdoor mass gathering such as the Easter
\nprocession.<\/p>\n
The festivity that the dominantly Christian locals call
\n\"Easter Dawn\" consists of a procession of people bearing torches
\nand symbolizes their welcome to the festival.<\/p>\n
News of the ban was conveyed by the Evangelical Church in
\nJayapura on Sunday, Antara reported, quoting Rev. E. Samallo.<\/p>\n
Samallo said the authorities in Irian Jaya are appealing to
\nlocal Christians to help restore order and not be fooled by
\nrumors that may endanger national unity.<\/p>\n
He said other church activities will go on as usual.<\/p>\n
The March 18 riot in Abepura, in which four people were killed
\nand a shopping complex torched, broke out after the authorities
\nstopped people from seeing the body of separatist rebel Tom
\nWanggai.<\/p>\n
Wanggai, an activist of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), died in
\na Jakarta prison while serving a 20 year term since 1988. His
\nbody was transported to the province for burial. (pan)<\/p>",
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