Greg Poulgrain – Thousands of people were starving after they were driven from their villages by Indonesian forces and militia groups, a Papuan leader claimed yesterday.

Tom Beanal said the number of Papuan refugees now exceeded 15,000 people from 147 villages. Some were forced to hide in caves in the mountains in the central Puncak Jaya district. "These people do not have food. People are starving to death. They need food now," he said.

The death of 15 peoples, mainly children, was reported on Thursday.

There are tent encampments for 2800 troops in several locations around Tingginambut, 25km from Mulia in Puncak Jaya. These are blocking off access to Papuans who fled into the forest in October seeking refuge from machine-gunners in helicopters.

Mr Beanal and other Papuan groups claim that the mid-October incident which prompted military action was a fabrication. The feared Kopassus special forces reported that six non-Papuans were killed in a bullet-ridden burnt-out car but no bodies were seen.

Indonesia has fought a low-level battle against separatist OPM guerillas since the 1960s. In the past year, the military has faced allegations that it is using East Timor-style militia groups to stir up regional hostilities.

Mr Beanal said the axing to death last week of two government officials and a policeman was the work of militia. When he briefed newly elected Vice-President Jusuf Kalla in Sulawesi this week, he explained that one militia comprised 2000 Papuans, mainly from the Dani tribe.

He accused the military of "wanting to turn Papua into another Aceh", a reference to the western Indonesian province where troops are fighting a determined independence movement.

In his talks with Mr Kalla, Mr Beanal said the army had undermined autonomy and was urging President Susilo Bambang Yudhuyono to establish a new army command of 3000 troops in Puncak Jaya. Mr Beanal is the acting executive director of the political mass organisation Papua Presidium Council and has emerged as a leading spokesman since the assassination three years ago of independence figure Theys Eluay.