Police's Brimob won't quit Nabire

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Despite mounting protest, Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas said on Monday he would maintain the presence of the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in the riot-torn Nabire.

Wenas said that Brimob would not be withdrawn "because they were sent here to maintain security and order".

"If the situation in Nabire worsens, many more Brimob troops will be sent here," he said, responding to the people's demand to withdraw Brimob from Nabire following a recent deadly clash which claimed four lives.

He also said that Brimob troops were also assigned to arrest the provocateurs, referring to Willem Wanimwarba who was shot dead for allegedly provoking Nabire people to attack police officers last week. (eba)