Papuans banned from flying flags

JAYAPURA, Papua: As Papua's independence anniversary draws near, the Papua provincial administration reiterated its demand on Friday for Papuan residents to refrain from marking the occasion.

Residents are banned from flying Kejora flags or other paraphernalia associated with the separatist movement in the province. They are also prohibited from holding ceremonies to celebrate the Dec. 1 anniversary, said Papua Governor JP Salossa.

He said that Papua had been incorporated into Indonesia in 1963, so that all Papuans had to abide by Indonesia laws and regulations.

The separatist movement has been waging low-level guerrilla warfare in the province since 1963. The revolt intensified in 1998, with the fall of Soeharto. -- JP