RI, PNG move against rebels

RI, PNG move against rebels

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: About 200 residents of the Ikcan Baru village in Waroko districts are reportedly being held hostage by members of the Free Papua Organization separatists.

The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) and the Papua New Guinean Army have reportedly "coordinated" in dealing with the crisis which has left one person, a public works employee, dead earlier this month.

The body of Panudjianto was found on Sunday; he was shot by rebels on Nov. 14 following a clash with troops, the Antara news agency reported.

"We are continuing our efforts to free the villagers," ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo told the news agency on Tuesday. "The greatest obstacle we have been facing is the difficult terrain."

Suwarno said that headquarters has yet to obtain accurate data on the number of hostages; he said official reports so far put the figure at 30, rather than the 200 reported by various mass media.

The separatist attacked the Ikcan village, 520 kilometers from Merauke city, on Nov. 9 and tried to drive the villagers to the border with Papua New Guinea. The village is currently deserted, while the rebels are reportedly hiding in the forests with their hostages, Antara reported.

Irian Jaya shares a 800-kilometer (500 mile) border with Papua New Guinea. (swe)