Fri, 31 Mar 2000

No one killed in Mimika forest

TIMIKA, Irian Jaya: The local military said on Thursday that no one was killed in an attack by an unidentified group on a number of farmers collecting firewood in Kali Kopi forest in Mimika regency on Sunday.

Mimika Military Chief Lt. Col. Fransen Siahaan said one of the two farmers who were reported to have been killed was found alive on Tuesday.

Fransen also quoted Lukman as saying that the other suspected death was only injured but was still out in the forest.

"Six villagers have already been dispatched to evacuate him," Fransen said.

Local authorities earlier said that at least three men and four others were injured during the attack. (eba)