Official regrets residents' evacuation

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon, the chief of the Trikora Military Command overseeing Irian Jaya, said he regretted the evacuation of the residents and administration of Illaga to Mulia in the Puncak Jaya Regency, following a return to calm in the small town.

The evacuation was conducted by small chartered plane in phases at the initiative of the Puncak Jaya regent.

"The regent should have made a field tour of Illaga to see the real situation here, instead of removing residents and all civil servants to Mulia, because everything has returned to normal," Mahidin said here on Monday.

The situation gradually returned to normal after the military command took over the town and its airport from rebels recently.

"What is the use of us taking over the town from the separatist movement after the locals and administration were evacuated to Mulia," he said. -- Antara