Youths dispersed by security forces

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.