Jakarta – Police detained several protesters flying outlawed independence flags on Tuesday during peaceful demonstrations against Indonesian rule in the restive Papua province, an official said.

At least two demonstrations in the provincial capital Jayapura marked the 48th anniversary of the Free Papua Movement declaring independence from Dutch colonial rule. Their claims were denied by the Dutch and later by Indonesia.

Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Bekto Suprapto told reporters that several men were detained for holding an unauthorized demonstration.

Police also confiscated several illegal Morning Star flags, symbols of an independent Papua, and leaflets advocating independence, Suprapto said. No charges have been laid.

Local media reports said about 30 people were detained in two separate locations in Jayapura. A report also said police fired shots, but that could not be verified immediately.

Human rights group Amnesty International urged authorities on Monday to investigate allegations of police killings and abuses in Papua.

The London-based organization released an open letter to Suprapto, alleging that police officers killed two men and beat dozens of demonstrators in custody since late last year.

Indonesian authorities – wary of secessionists – have cracked down on separatist protesters in the poor eastern province, where there is a small but resilient independence movement. Foreign journalists are barred from traveling to Papua.

Activists say more than 170 people are jailed in Indonesia for peaceful political expression, mostly in Papua and the province of Maluku, where there is also a separatist movement.

Earlier this month, three men were imprisoned for up to three years for raising the Morning Star. Another two men face up to 12 years in prison on similar charges.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has called for their release, saying imprisoning peaceful protesters undermines the country's democratic values.