Jakarta (Antara) – The rally in Waena, Jayapura, Papua, Thursday, August 29, turned into anarchy and forced the police to shoot tear gas at protesters. They staged a rally to condemn racism against Papuan students in Surabaya.

The mass even destroyed official vehicles belonged to Jayapura Regional Military Command (Dandim). The commander Lieut. Col. Inf. Johanes Parinusa confirmed his car was targeted by the mass when he was monitoring the demonstration in Expo areas, Waena.

"Yes, the official car I was riding get damaged. I was passing the area to inspect the rally when suddenly protesters wreck it in the middle of a clash with the police," said Parinusa, adding that his fleet has been taken to a workshop for repairs.

Hundreds of people from Waena reportedly have walked to Abepura and Jayapura. Stores and shopping centers along the main road were closed. Even schools have already sent their students home since 09:30 local time.

Jayapura City Resort Police spokesman First Insp. Jahja Rumra confirmed that the police fired tear gas in a bid to withhold more people willing to go to Jayapura.

"However, the current situation is relatively conducive, and the mass is heading to Abepura on foot," said Rumra.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1241633/papua-riot-mass-crushes-jayapura-commanders-vehicle