Youths dispersed by security forces

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Security officers dispersed hundreds of youths staging a demonstration demanding independence for Irian Jaya at the provincial legislative building here yesterday morning.

The demonstrators had been blockading the street in front of the legislative building since Wednesday morning.

Tension mounted when the local military chief, Lt. Col. J.P. Silooy, and police chief, Lt. Col. M. Nizam, tried to convince the demonstrators to leave the area peacefully.

When the group refused, anti-riot brigades armed with rifles and shields were deployed to block roads giving access to the site of the demonstration.

The youths briefly threw stones at the legislative building and a nearby telecommunications office, shattering a number of glass panes.

But after further negotiations they calmed down and decided to leave the area.

However, the demonstrators refused to board trucks provided by the military, preferring instead to walk home to Abepura and North Jayapura subdistricts under military escort, Antara reported.