Top police general visits Jayapura

JAYAPURA, Papua: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar visited on Saturday the district court in Jayapura where last week Papua Police officers clashed with separatist supporters.

The four-star general said his visit was aimed at gathering first-hand information on what really happened during the violent incident last Tuesday.

The clash occurred in front of the Jayapura District Court after some 100 separatist supporters began hurling stones after police officers prevented alleged separatist leaders on trial at the court from addressing the crowd.

The clash took place after the district court held a session in the trial of alleged separatist leaders Philep Karma and Yusak Pakage. Dozens of people, including 10 police officers, were injured during the violence.

Police are investigating the incident and two senior police officers have been replaced and nine low-ranking officers have been named as suspects in the case. -- JP