Jakarta – Puncak Jaya Regent Lukas Enembe has ordered soldiers not to carry weapons during peacetime, particularly when in the town, saying it scares residents.

"The ban does not apply when soldiers are pursuing enemies in the jungle or whenever they are at war with separatists. But if they enter the city in peacetime they shouldn't carry any weapons with them," Enembe said Thursday, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The statement was made following a series of complaints from residents on how soldiers could be "arrogant" when strolling around town with their guns.

Commenting on this, Papua Military commander Maj. Gen. Erfi Triasunu said he understood the ban and reasons behind it, adding that he would pay serious attention on it.

"We carry those weapons in accordance with our duty to safeguard the region and to protect the country's sovereignty – not to show off, let alone to scare [locals]," he said.