Morning Star flag hoisting in Timika leaves 55 injured
Morning Star flag hoisting in Timika leaves 55 injured
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Fifty-five people were injured when
security personnel opened fire on a crowd of about 3,000 people
in Timika, Irian Jaya on Thursday after they attempted to stop
police from lowering the separatist West Papua Morning Star flag.
Paulus Kanonggopme, a member of the Lemasa Foundation dealing
with human rights in the easternmost province, told The Jakarta
Post that 12 of the victims were still undergoing intensive
medical treatment for serious injuries at two hospitals in
Tembagapura, while the rest were released.
Paulus said the incident occurred when about 1,000 policemen
from the National Police's Mobile Brigade tried to disperse a
crowd gathered in a Catholic Church compound to hoist the
separatist flag.
"After several warning shots, security personnel opened fire
on the crowd to force their way through to pull down the flag,"
he said, while arguing that the incident was a serious human
rights violation and that his foundation would report it to the
National Commission on Human Rights for further investigation.
Irian Jaya Provincial Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas said
several victims suffered fractures in their arms and legs after
being beaten with sticks by security personnel.
"I have ordered the Timika Police to investigate police
officers who exerted violence in the incident," he said in the
provincial capital.
Supporters of the separatist organization have flown the
Morning Star flag since Wednesday to commemorate the separatist
movement's 33rd anniversary.
Timika Regent Titus O. Potereyao confirmed the incident and
said security personnel used force because the crowd ignored
orders to pull down the flag and disperse. He insisted the
hoisting of the separatist organization's flag was against the
law.
The Institution of Human Rights Studies and Advocacy reported
that three Irianese, suspected of being behind the flag-hoisting,
were being held at the Timika Police Precinct for further
investigation.
The non-governmental organization also reported that until
late night, the crowd was still at the church complex and would
not disperse until the three were released.
The three were identified as Hiskia Merarabeam, Isak Ondowame
and Yosepha Alomang.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Sudrajat, the chief spokesman for the
Indonesian Military (TNI), commenting on Wednesday's mass flag
hoisting said that it was still within "tolerable limits in the
context of democracy".
He said the military would take strict action if the
separatist movement goes further and demands a self-determination
vote.
Sudrajat insisted the territory's integration with Indonesia
gained international recognition after it was under the
facilitation of the United Nations in 1963. (eba/rms)