Irian Easter procession banned

Irian Easter procession banned

JAKARTA (JP): The authorities in Irian Jaya, which was rocked by a series of violent protests recently, have banned the province's traditional Easter procession for security reasons.

The procession was scheduled for April 7.

Officials said that the March 18 rioting in Abepura, near the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura, sparked a security concern that does not allow outdoor mass gathering such as the Easter procession.

The festivity that the dominantly Christian locals call "Easter Dawn" consists of a procession of people bearing torches and symbolizes their welcome to the festival.

News of the ban was conveyed by the Evangelical Church in Jayapura on Sunday, Antara reported, quoting Rev. E. Samallo.

Samallo said the authorities in Irian Jaya are appealing to local Christians to help restore order and not be fooled by rumors that may endanger national unity.

He said other church activities will go on as usual.

The March 18 riot in Abepura, in which four people were killed and a shopping complex torched, broke out after the authorities stopped people from seeing the body of separatist rebel Tom Wanggai.

Wanggai, an activist of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), died in a Jakarta prison while serving a 20 year term since 1988. His body was transported to the province for burial. (pan)