All hostages fine: Military

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said on Tuesday that 11 Irianese hostages released by rebels on Monday "are in fine condition".

They were treated well by their abductors, the two-star general said.

"The only thing they are suffering from are scratches on their feet because their abductors always demanded they move from one place to another to avoid arrest (from the security authorities)," Sembiring was quoted by Antara as saying.

The hostages, most of them women, were kidnapped by an Irianese rebel group on May 5 following a raid on a residential area at Arso oil palm plantation in Jayapura.

According to Sembiring, none of the women were assaulted by their abductors.

"I have received no such report in this case," he said.

Led by Hans Bomay, the rebels killed four villagers, wounded three and robbed others during the raid, the military said.

With the help of the Papua New Guinea military, the people were freed on Monday morning from the rebels' hideouts in Bewani, PNG, which is located about 12 kilometers from the border with Irian Jaya.

The 11 villagers are scheduled to be handed over to the Indonesian authorities on Wednesday in Vanimo by PNG Minister of Defense Pieter Weiang to Indonesian ambassador at the country, Benny Mandalika.

Amir Sembiring and Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi also are scheduled to fly to Vanimo on Wednesday to transport the hostages back to Jayapura. (bsr/34)