Police urged to get tough on OPM flags

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Councillors here urged the police on Wednesday to crack down not only on those in possession of separatist flags and banners, but also on the factories which produced them.

Councillor Agustina Iwanggin Tanamal said the police should focus their efforts on the factories that produced the flags and banners, rather than conducting endless sweeps to detain those in possession of these items.

"Such items are widespread among the people. The factories that produce them are located outside of Irian Jaya.

"So if you want to stop these things you should go to the source by closing down the factories that produce them," she said as quoted by Antara news agency.

There have been suggestions that the flags and banners of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) commonly found in Irian Jaya are being produced in Java.