Jayapura – Dozens of people taking part in peaceful actions organised by the KNPB to mark International Democracy Day were forced to retreat by the security forces who sprayed them with tear gas.

"We gave the KNPB five minutes to disperse their members because we had not granted permission for the demonstrations to take place,' a police spokesman told Jubi.

Although they had been given five minutes to disperse, the KNPB decided to proceed with their action. When the police realised that the hundreds of demonstrators were refusing to disperse, they forcibly seized the means of transport from demonstrators who seemed to be getting confused. This was when the police fired tear gas pellets in an attempt to take control of the situation which was becoming very heated.

"We were forced to use tear gas because they had begun to throw things to us." After a while, the KNPB demonstrators were forced to retreat because of the tear gas.

After attacking the demonstrators with tear gas, five KNPB members were arrested by the police.

"We were holding a demonstration to mark International Democracy Day but nevertheless we were dispersed by the police and dozens of our members were arrested as they were marching towards their meeting place from three directions", said Wim Rocky Medlama.

[Translated by TAPOL.]