18 rebels arrested in Irian

18 rebels arrested in Irian

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Police in Merauke have arrested 18
rebels believed to be members of the self-proclaimed Papuan
Liberation Front, the Merauke Police chief said here on Thursday.

Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Mulyono said that the 18 people were
arrested in the district of Kimaam on Tuesday.

"They set fire to a local fishermen's ship, the KM Jala
Perkasa, which killed the ship's crew members."

Agus did not reveal when the arson attack occurred, but said
that the ship was moored in the Kontuar river when the rebels
attacked.

"We will ask them the motive behind the burning of the ship,"
Agus said. --Antara