Due to the increasing tension in Papua, the National Police dispatched on Thursday a special team led by Head of Security Maintenance Body Insp. Gen. Imam Sujarwo, tasked with the maintaining security in the eastern-most province.
In the last few months, Papua has seen a string of violence, including the shooting of workers near PT Freeport Indonesia last week, and most recently the forceful disbursement of the 3rd Papuan Congress on Wednesday.
Two people were found dead after violence broke out between police and participants of the Papuan Congress III in Abepura on Wednesday.
The casualties were Daniel Kadepa, 25, who sustained a wound to the back of his head, and Max Yewon, 35, whose body showed severe bruising around his waist.
The discovery of the bodies, which were found behind a local military base situated in the hills around Abepura, was reported to the local police. Autopsies are currently being carried out.
Police, assisted by Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers, arrested more than 300 of the approximately 1,500 people who participated in the Papuan Congress on Wednesday. Police also reportedly fired shots during the arrests. Five people have been declared suspects.