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)