Jakarta – Hundreds of Papuans gathered Friday in eastern Indonesia to mark the anniversary of their "declaration of independence" amid tight security, a customary council member said.

Independence supporters marched from the regional office of the council which represents local tribes to the Elin Kwari church in Manokwari, the provincial capital of West Irian Jaya, council member Anni Sabami told AFP. "Representatives of the local Arfak tribe, students and women demand a referendum for the independence of Papua," said Sabami.

The protest for independence was peaceful with local shops opening with business as usual. The newly formed province is on the Bird's Head Peninsula of Papua in the Indonesian half of New Guinea.