Thadius Yogi blamed for deaths

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The military says separatist rebel leader Thadius Yogi is responsible for the murders of four people that his group took hostage.

The rebels under Yogi's command have been involved in two kidnappings this year, said Maj. Gen. Johny Lumintang, chief of the Trikora regional military command which oversees security in Irian Jaya and Maluku.

Lumintang identified the four killed as Navy Panekenan, Matheus Lasamahu, Tumaji and Maksum.

Panekenan and Lasamahu were researchers killed by rebels when the military raided their kidnappers' hiding place. Tumaji and Maksum were two of 12 PT Kamundan Raya employees that rebels took captive on Aug. 14.

Lumintang said the authorities are continuing hunting Yogi's group in the Irian Jaya jungles, Antara reported.

"We will track them until they are caught," he said. (pan)