18 rebels arrested in Irian

Fri, 09 Nov 2001

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

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