Officials in Puncak Papua have started moving children out of the conflict-torn district as the situation there continues to deteriorate.

"For nearly three months there have not been any school activities due to the prolonged conflict," said the acting district head, Decky Wambrauw. "Several schools and teachers' homes have also been looted and burned while children have been forced to go to war by their parents.

"The conditions are far from normal, so we plan to move the children to other areas so they can go back to school."

At least 27 people have been killed in the conflict, which began on July 30 when an election dispute spun out of control. Thirteen people were killed in the initial clash, and the others died in the periodic outbreaks of violence that have followed.

On Tuesday, many residents – including some children – were seen carrying spears, machetes and arrows on the quiet streets.

All 18 schools of varying levels in the newly established district have been abandoned since early August, with the 500 students in Puncak Papua either too afraid to go outside or involved in the fighting.

Decky said most of the 80 teachers had also fled the district after some of them saw their homes set on fire on Monday.

The Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) reportedly gave its backing for two candidates vying for the district head position in the upcoming election.

Elvis Tabuni, speaker of the Puncak Papua district council, was angry to learn that Simon Alom, who led the transition during the establishment of the district, also claimed to be backed by Gerindra.