Official regrets residents' evacuation

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