Mass exodus from Manokwari

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: More than 1,000 migrants who settled at the foot of Mount Umsini in Manokwari regency left in a mass exodus over the weekend out of fears for their safety.

"They left because of rumors of expulsion, unrest and the murder of non-Irianese Indonesians," one resident said.

Antara reported that 1,112 people left the province on board KM Ciremai late on Saturday night.

The migrants hail from many parts of the country, including Ujungpandang in South Sulawesi, Bitung in North Sulawesi and Ternate in Maluku.

Village chiefs in the areas have issued a statement urging people to remain calm and stating that rumors of riots and expulsions are untrue.