Secessionists rob villagers

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Commander of the regional military command Maj. Gen. I Ketut Wirdhana said the villagers of Hoya in the hinterland of Ilaga, Paniai regency, have often been the target of robbery and assault launched by a group of secessionist.

The rebels, calling themselves the Free Papua Organization, have reportedly frightened the villagers so greatly that many have fled to the forests, Antara reported.

In addition, there were also people who reportedly abandoned their village to join the rebels in the forests. "Since January, around 1,000 residents of Hoya have fled to the forests because of the members of the GPK," Wirdhana said.

GPK is a government security term meaning peace-disturbing movement.

Wirdhana said there were around 200 members of the movement in hiding in the thick forests of Irian Jaya.

"Those Free Papua members frighten the villagers by, for instance, saying that the Armed Forces are coming to get them," Wirdhana said. (swe)