Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura, Papua – Papuan police have lifted the Indonesian flag, replacing the Morning Star flag, at an office believed to be the headquarters of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) in Eduda, Paniai. The headquarters will be turned into a police office.

Papuan police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said on Wednesday that police and military members raided and took over the headquarters.

"Hundreds of OPM members escaped to the mountains," Wachyono said. "A double loop gun, dozens of bullets, some Morning Star [flags] and some sharp weapons have been confiscated by police."

A member of the police Brigade Mobile unit was wounded by gun fire during the raid.

Wachyono said police decided to raid the headquarters because the group, under the leadership of John Magay Yogi, often attacked police officers and took their weapons.

"After John Yogi replaced his father leading the OPM Paniai branch, there were often attacks directed at officers, as well as weapon seizures. On Aug. 16 they attacked a police office and set a bridge on fire in Paniai Timur," Wachyono said. "He [John Yogi] is allegedly behind all of the incidents."

Papua police are anticipating counterattacks after the headquarter take over. "They could attack police offices or posts in suburb areas, so we putting all members on highly alert," Wachyono said. "The officers that have weapons are not allowed to patrol alone."

Paniai police chief Adj. Comr. Jannus Siregar said that crossfire ended today. "They were trying to attack while firing towards our officers in Eduda," Jannus said. "When the officers fired back, they ran into the forest."

According to people living in Eduda, from Tuesday until Wednesday morning, there were increasing numbers of police and military officers deployed in Eduda causing civilians to leave the region.

Wachyono, however, denied that people were leaving the region because of their fear of police. "There were no people evacuating," he said. "Instead, the people who have been disturbed by the group have reported to police asking for protection."

According to him, John's group often forcefully asked for money from civilians and threatened them.

[Additional reporting by Antara.]