Curfew imposed in Fakfak

Curfew imposed in Fakfak

FAKFAK, Irian Jaya: Security authorities have imposed a curfew
to anticipate possible unrest following the ouster of Regent
Suparlan Pasambuna last Friday.

Deputy chief of local police Capt. J. Kalembang told Antara on
Tuesday the curfew took effect on Monday and would stand for an
indefinite period. Under the curfew, people are not allowed to go
out between 10 p.m. and 4.30 a.m.

During the no-time-out spell, military authorities will carry
out operations to search for weapons and examine residents' ID
cards.

"The decision was agreed by the local government on Saturday
for fear of renewed violence agitated by provocateurs coming from
outside the town," Kalembang said.

He said an unidentified group had circulated leaflets to
incite sectarian conflicts.

Hundreds of people took to streets of the town, some 2,200
kilometers northeast of Jakarta, last Wednesday to demand the
resignation of Suparlan, an Army colonel, on the grounds that he
is not an indigenous Irian. The crowd occupied the regent's
office and dispersed only after speaker of the local legislature
Fredrik Iba intervened.

Governor Freddy Numberi granted the protesters' demand and
appointed Deputy Regent Abraham Atuturi the acting Regent on
Friday until a replacement for Suparlan is elected. (amd)