Disturbing the peace rises in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA: Police in Irian Jaya reported a 28 percent rise in cases of disturbing the peace in 1998 compared to 1997.

On Sunday Antara reported that Police chief Brig. Gen. Hotman Siagian said, however, that there were less traffic violations.

He said in Jayapura that there were 1,701 cases of disturbing the peace compared to only 1,327 in 1997.

Traffic violations declined from 157 in 1997 to 112 cases in 1998, he said, while in the same period crimes increased from 1,242 to 1,539 cases.

Hotman said that those who died in traffic accidents declined from 157 to 115, while those who were severely injured also decreased from 119 to 90.

He credited fewer traffic accidents to the police cracking down on the sale of alcohol, and said the increase in cases of disturbing the peace was due to the prolonged economic crisis.

"The large amount of alcohol in the markets is due to high demand," he said, urging the younger generation to avoid alcohol. The consumption of alcohol contributed significantly to crimes and accidents in the area, Hotman said.