Security tight ahead of Dec. 1 in Biak

Security tight ahead of Dec. 1 in Biak

The Jakarta Post,
Antara

The situation in Biak Numfor, Papua, remained secure on Tuesday,
one day before separatists planned to celebrate the province's
independence on Wednesday, a senior police officer said.

Biak Numfor police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wirawibawa said on
Tuesday there had been no protests in the area in the past few
days and the security situation was under control.

"People should heed a recent call by Papua Governor Jaap
Salossa not to celebrate Papuan independence on Dec. 1,"
Wirawibawa said.

He said police would take stern action against those who
celebrated the anniversary as this would be interpreted as
an act of treason.

Treason is punishable by death under Indonesian law.

Papua had been controlled by Indonesia since 1963 and all
Papuans should abide by Indonesian laws and regulations, he said.

Police have tightened security in many parts of the region
ahead of the anniversary.

Wirawibawa said extra officers had been deployed to help
police to safeguard the area.

Earlier Salossa banned residents from flying Kejora flags or
displaying other paraphernalia associated with the separatist
cause.

The separatist movement has waged low-level guerrilla revolt
in the province since 1963, when Indonesia first took effective
control of Papua after it became independent from the Dutch.