Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The situation in the Papuan town of Manokwari has remained peaceful following the recent arrests of 70 pro-independence activists grouped in the National West Papua Committee (KNPB).

West Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said the situation in Manokwari and other towns in the province remained under control thanks to good coordination between the police and the military in the province.

"The situation in Manokwari and other towns in the province is under control and there were no social disturbances following the arrests of 70 activists," he told The Jakarta Post.

Seventy pro-independence activists were arrested while staging a rally in support of Papua becoming a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) on Wednesday. Four of the 70 arrestees have been named suspects as organizers of the rally and for failing to obtain a permit for it.

Waterpauw stressed that people were not prohibited from expressing their aspirations, but that demonstrations that utilized public facilities such as roads, parks and other public spaces had to obtain permits from relevant authorities. He added that his side would not tolerate any form of anarchism.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/22/manokwari-under-control-following-arrests.html