'Stop Matoa operation in Papua'

'Stop Matoa operation in Papua'

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Cenderawasih Human Rights Network (JHC) has called on the police to stop the Matoa operation, which is aimed at quelling separatism in the province, because the province no longer has any separatist movements.

"The operation to be launched by the police in the near future should be canceled because there are no longer any separatist movements in the province," JHC said in a news release on Friday.

The news release was signed by its 16 members from all regencies in the province.

JHC also called on the government to declare Irian Jaya a peace zone, free from separatist conflict and military operations.

It also called on locals not to be easily provoked by certain groups who wish to disrupt law and order in the province. --Antara