Jayapura, Papua – Some 140 policemen from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) police paramilitary unit in Jakarta assigned to Puncak Jaya regency in Papua since September this year have been sent home.

Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said the move to send the policemen back home earlier than the previous four-month assignment plan had nothing to do with the widespread controversy over the police abuse video. "It's just because the situation is safe, no other reason," he said on Wednesday.

He said no more Brimob policemen were currently on duty or would be assigned to Puncak Jaya. "Security will completely handled by local police. If there's a situation which needs more policemen, they will come from the Papua Police," he said.