Two injured as armed rebels attack police post in Waropen

R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

Two civilians were injured after armed rebels attacked a police post in the district of Waropen Atas, east of the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura on Friday.

Irian Jaya Police chief Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika confirmed the incident saying that the two civilians were in a very critical condition and were being treated at the district community health center.

Pastika said that the attackers comprised ten people who claimed to be members of the Papuan Liberation Front (TPN).

The attack began when local community leaders of Waropen were meeting with local police officers to discuss rumors that the rebels intended to attack police posts in remote areas.

"When the meeting was underway, ten people, six of them carrying rifles, opened fire," Pastika said.

The police officers dispersed to enter the post, while two locals who were standing in the grounds of the police post were shot. Police did not identify the two.

Police intelligence reports said that the plan to attack police posts in remote areas was part of a larger plan of the rebels to draw worldwide attention to their cause before the month of December.

The Papuan rebels usually hoist the Papuan Morning Star flag to commemorate their self-proclaimed independence on Dec. 1.

"They just want to draw attention to their existence. I've instructed all police officers to be more alert," Pastika said.

Irian Jaya authorities face a tough time ahead of Dec. 1, when crowds of people are expected to gather for the Morning Star flag hoisting ceremony.

The death of the chairman of the Papuan Presidium Council Theys Hiyo Eluay on Sunday and his funeral, scheduled for Saturday (today), is expected to trigger new rioting.

Hard-liners reportedly plan "to do something" on Dec. 1.