Rebel leader killed in clash between separatists<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Irian Jaya rebel leader was shot dead in a
\nclash between rival separatist groups, a report said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Antara news agency quoted Irian Jaya Military Commander Maj.
\nGen. Albert Inkiriwang as saying the clash between separatist
\nrebels occurred on Tuesday in Sandaun province in neighboring
\nPapua New Guinea.<\/p>\n
He identified the dead rebel leader as Hans Bomay, who was
\nkilled by members of an armed group led by Mathias Wenda.<\/p>\n
The report could not be independently confirmed.<\/p>\n
Bomay led a rebel raid last May on a housing project in the
\ntown of Arso, Irian Jaya, in which 11 people were captured. The
\nhostages were eventually moved to a camp across the border in
\nPapua New Guinea, where they were eventually rescued by Papua New
\nGuinean security forces.<\/p>\n
Wenda is another rebel leader whose followers also have made
\noccasional forays into Indonesian territory.<\/p>\n
The Free Papua Movement has been fighting for an independent
\nMelanesian state since 1963, when Indonesia occupied the former
\nDutch colony.<\/p>\n
Indonesian sovereignty was formalized in 1969 by an assembly
\nof village chiefs who favored incorporation.<\/p>\n
It is widely believed the Indonesian Army has been guilty of
\nhuman rights abuses during a series of anti-insurgency operations
\nin the natural resource-rich province. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rebel-leader-killed-in-clash-between-separatists-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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