Logging company suspends operation

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: PT Kamundan Raya, which had 11 of its workers kidnapped by separatist rebels in August, has suspended operation in Timika district for security reasons.

Officials of the subsidiary of the Djajanti Group acknowledged yesterday that the suspension was decided upon because of the Aug. 14 kidnappings.

Two of the captives were found dead and the rest were abandoned and found by soldiers, who claimed to have killed the gang leader, Thadius Yogi.

Busli Saraka, a representative of the Djajanti Group in Irian Jaya, was quoted as saying by Antara that the company has suspended operations indefinitely.

Sources at the company said that 130 employees have been returned to Java and will be notified when work resumes. (pan)