Dandy Koswaraputra, Jakarta – The police have denied claims that they detained over 1,000 Papuans who staged a rally today to demand Indonesia hold an independence referendum in the nation's easternmost province.
It's ridiculous. We did not arrest them. We did not detain them at all. We only ordered them to disperse," Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpaw told thejakartapost.com on Wednesday.
Paulus said the government had instructed police to ensure security in Papua amid the ongoing activities of groups pushing for the province's separation from Indonesia.
"They are trying to resist the constitutional state. They are hiding on behalf of freedom of expression and trying to internationalize the issue," General Paulus asserted, adding that police have the responsibility to counter their propaganda.
Police said that an anti-Indonesia group called National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) was behind the mobilization of the Papuan people and had frequently tried to organize massive demonstrations. "We have never permitted them to do so because their ultimate goal is to separate Papua from Indonesia," he said.
According to the Legal Aid Institute (LBH), a series of demonstrations have taken place in Jayapura, Baliem, Fakfak, Sentani, Sorong, Timika and Yalimo as well as in Malang, East Java. "I welcome LBH to come to us and talk about the issue instead of releasing provocative material to the public," Paulus said.
There have also been actions in Papua to call for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to be recognized as a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. (dan)