ABRI rejects death toll reports

ABRI rejects death toll reports

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Trikora Regional Military Commander Maj.
Gen. Amir Sembiring has denied reports that as many as 112 people
died when security forces quelled a separatist demonstration in
Biak last month.

"There's little chance of that (the number of deaths)
happening since the number of people who were flying the West
Papua flag from July 2 to July 7 was only about 150 people," he
was quoted by Antara as saying here Wednesday.

He claimed that only one person, Ruben Urboy, died and that
two others were still missing.

A spate of pro-independence demonstrations broke out in
several cities of Indonesia's easternmost province during the
first week of July. Attempts to quell the rallies resulted in
clashes and reports of several dead.

Activists claim that the number of dead was much higher than
that admitted by the Armed Forces (ABRI). It has even been
suggested that the bodies of the dead were thrown out to sea.

Amir categorically denied the allegations yesterday, asserting
that the 28 bodies found washed ashore on Biak beach last month
were victims of the massive tsunami which hit neighboring Papua
New Guinea (PNG) on July 17.

"The evidence and physical characteristics, like tattoos on
their faces and bodies, indicate they were PNG citizens," he
said. (01)