Two injured in political clash

WAMENA, Papua: Two people were injured after the supporters and the opponents of an elected regent and deputy regent of Jayawijaya regency here clashed on Saturday morning in front of the Jayapura legislative council building.

The clash occurred as Jaap Salossa, the governor of Papua, on behalf of Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno, was swearing-in David Hubi and Nicolas Jigibalon, as the regent and deputy regent of Jayawijaya regency respectively.

Police were forced to fire warning shots into the air, in order to calm down the two groups of supporters, who were busy throwing stones at each other during the clash. The crowd only dispersed after the police and military troops were deployed to the area.

The ceremony was attended by 24 of the 40 councillors in the regency legislative council, including the council speaker Rev. Timotius Wakur.

By Saturday afternoon, the security situation in Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya regency, was quiet but tense with a number of military and police officers roaming around. -- Antara