Locals probed over recent Wamena riots
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Jayawijaya Police have questioned 23 Wamena locals in relation to the Oct. 6 bloody riots, in which at least 30 people were killed and scores of others injured.
"A total of 18 men have been intensively investigated for various charges, including murder, rape, robbery, assault and battery and resisting arrest.
"Most of them were caught red-handed during the incident," Jayawijaya Police chief Supt. D. Surapatty said on Thursday.
"Among them are two main murder suspects during the Oct. 6 rioting in Woma village," the officer said.
The 18 men are Wamena locals living in Kurima district, some 20 kilometers from Wamena town which is located about 290 kilometers southwest of Jayapura capital city.
Five members of the proindependence Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) have also been questioned as they are suspected of masterminding the riots, he said.
"We strongly suspect that the five were behind the attacks on migrants during the bloody rioting," the officer added.
The five PDP members have not been detained as they are still being questioned as witnesses.
"For the time being, they are free to go. But if there are further leads and evidence, we'll declare them suspects," Suripatty said.
Police identified the five PDP members as Rev. Obeth Komba, Rev. Miyage, teachers Murjono Murid and Yazeth Yelemaken and health worker Amelia Gigibalom.
The situation in Wamena slowly returned to normal. However, some 1,000 refugees who fled the rioting have refused to return home after sheltering at the compound of Jayawijaya 1702 Military District Command, Jayawijaya Police station as well as nearby churches and mosques.
"They are still traumatized. But aid is on the way. Today (Thursday) we received some 3,500 boxes of instant noodles, 20 drums of cooking oil and one ton of salty fish. But we haven't received rice supplies," Wamena Regent David Agustinus Hubi said.
Commercial flights in and out of Wamena, however, are still not operating, a local journalist said.
"We even have to get a pass from the Irian Jaya Police chief to be observers in Wamena," the reporter said.
The regent further revealed that losses in the Wamena riots were estimated at Rp 3.6 billion (US$404,494).
Regency data says that 91 houses were either torched, vandalized or looted and five kiosks and several vehicles were burned in the incident.
"We badly need help to rehabilitate and repair the damage as well as help the refugees and those who are still on medication," the regent said.
In Jayapura, PDP secretary-general Thaha Al Hamid said the group's representatives were slated to meet President Abdurrahman Wahid in the first week of November in a bid to voice their aspirations on the Irian Jaya issue, including the hoisting of the Morning Star separatist flag in the province.
PDP chairman Theys Hiyo Eluay reportedly left for Jakarta on Thursday.
"He wishes to meet several ministers, including coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs, prior to meeting the President," Thaha said. (34/edt)