Police told to stop tribal war in Irian

Police told to stop tribal war in Irian

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman has
appealed to his officers stationed in Irian Jaya to propel the
local tribes away from attacking one another.

Banurusman said officers in Irian Jaya have an additional
duty, that is involving the local people as much as possible in
development activities so that they won't have time to indulge in
customary tribal warfares.

"For the present era this part of their culture is no longer
appropriate. It is also divisive," he said during a meeting with
police officers in Wamena in the Irian Jaya hinterland, Antara
reported yesterday.

Indonesia's easternmost province is inhabited by hundreds of
tribes, many of them still living a stone age existence,
including the habit of initiating wars between two tribes.

Banurusman said his office has launched a new program called
mass-guidance pioneers in Irian Jaya, where the local police take
the initiative of bringing the people in to join various
development efforts in their regions. This approach will also
enhance relations between the police and the local people, he
added.

"This way, the people will feel secure and not fear being
around the officers," Banurusman said.

He also called on the officers to pay close attention to the
safety of tourists because the Jayawijaya regency is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Irian Jaya. (emb)