Mass exodus from Manokwari

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.