Irian Jaya rebels 'only' have 77 guns<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Guerrilla fighters opposing the
\nIndonesian government in Irian Jaya's jungles only possess 77
\nguns, with an estimated 150 personnel, a military official said
\nhere on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Trikora Regional Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) could easily eradicate the \"security
\ndisturbance movements\" due to the group's limited number of
\nammunition and personnel.<\/p>\n
\"But that won't be the proper way to solve the problem,\"
\nSembiring said.<\/p>\n
He said TNI would continue to adopt a persuasive approach with
\nthe rebels -- who are mostly armed with traditional arrows,
\nspears and machetes -- with a top priority \"to lead them back to
\ntheir respective hometowns to build their areas\".<\/p>\n
Most of the rebels were not in the jungles, but at their
\nheadquarters in the Bewani valley, Sembiring said.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the rebels were involved in a series of
\ncrimes, including killings, robberies and abductions, against
\nlocal civilians on the Indonesian-Papua New Guinea border.<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago it was reported that the rebels murdered four
\nArso plantation workers and kidnapped at least 11 people,
\nincluding seven women.<\/p>\n
The fate of the 11 people abducted by the group is yet to be
\nresolved, but local authorities believe the victims have been
\nhidden by the rebels in the Bewane valley.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/irian-jaya-rebels-only-have-77-guns-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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