A group of armed men launched attacks in the Papua regency of Paniai as Indonesia celebrated on Wednesday its 66th Independence Day.
The sound of gunshots has been heard since about 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning in Pagepota and Uwibutu villages in Paniai. There have been no reports of casualties.
“The sound of gunshots ceased for a moment, then was heard again between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.,” Markus You, a local resident, said on Wednesday.
He added that the gunshots then continued at 9:30 a.m. in Enarotali, where a ceremony to commemorate Independence Day was being held.
“The sound of gunshots can still be clearly heard,” he told tempointeraktif.com at about 10 a.m.
The commander of the Indonesian military unit in Papua, May. Gen. Erfi Triassunu, said armed men also attacked police vehicles passing through a mountainous region.
He said the unknown group then fled into the woods, and added that they may have intended to disrupt Independence Day celebrations.
Violence has escalated in Papua recently as demands for a referendum on Papua’s independence from Indonesia are intensifying.
raflihasan, medan | Thu, 18/08/2011 - 14:08pm
the escalation of the violent acts in Papua was absolutely happened in plan by pro independence movements in affiliated with OPM. Indeed in every separatist movement in the world they were launch their action politically and armed. However, coersive respond by the law enforcement might be inappropriate since the probability of human rights violation very possible. In doing so, the military and law enforcement should work together persuasively in order to resolve this problem. I believe those OPM separatist just a few matter in democracy, since we offer a better resolution for them they might turn back to us, it has been proved. many of them have been repatriate into Indonesia. unless the violent actions that already caused casualties, the law enforcement should impose the law appropriately.
mantembu, Serui Papua | Wed, 17/08/2011 - 22:08pm
I am sorry wrong posting. I should have posted the previous comment on Papuan Souvenirs, songs and feature in Independence day ceremony at palace. But the message still the same. Freedom is ultimate goal no nothing or whatsoever. The logic and the reason is so simple. We papuan using guns and all to defend ourselves because the indonesian Army is still trying and yeah killing west papuan people. Please Leave us alone Indonesian... We don't want you, we don't need you. We want our freedom back.
mantembu, Serui Papua | Wed, 17/08/2011 - 21:08pm
Those people who attended the flag ceremony were paid by the government. But the reality is totally different in West Papua. People in WV are afraid to open their mouth and speak from their heart. If only the freedom of speech is given, I am very sure everyone of West Papuan people would voice out the Freedom of West Papua. The reason they don't because they got threatening by the Indonesian Army and KOPASUS (Indonesian special Troop. So, yeah, Freedom of West Papua is an ultimate goal.
filippo giancarlo, jimbaran | Wed, 17/08/2011 - 17:08pm
Indonesia has been independent for 66 years now. West Papua is still a colony. West Papuans have no reason to celebrate independence.
dampar, rio | Wed, 17/08/2011 - 12:08pm
It's needed a tenacity to overcome, something reasonable they are still expecting the referandum and making a clandestine activities for disrupting this state, due to the government has failed to create the prosperity in Papua evenly, infact, the province has been contributed abundant natural resourses and it suppose to be a wealthy region. However, we could see in the fact, many of the people in Papua living in poverty. hence, its been triggering the insurgency.