The Papua separatist group, the National Committee for West Papua, or the KNPB, has reported that six of its members were arrested, beaten and taken to the Jayapura Police Station onn Thursday.
The KNPB claims the six were arrested because they were distributing leaflets calling on West Papuans to boycott next week's presidential election.
A spokesperson for the Australia West Papua Association Joe Collins says the security forces appear to be targeting any civil society groups who are calling for a boycott of the election and have deployed over 300 police and soldiers for security in the region during the election.
The Puncak Jaya Police chief, has confirmed security forces have been called up to ensure there is no disruption during the election. Another 3 members of the KNPB were arrested on June the 30th.