Reuters in Jakarta – Indonesia is running a secret campaign to stop the rich and restive province of Irian Jaya breaking away, using a combination of bullying, clandestine operations and persuasion, internal documents show.

A leaked Home Affairs Department plan marked "Top Secret" calls for the raising of village-level militias and tough action against independence leaders.

Separatist passions are rising in the eastern province, stoked by human rights abuses by soldiers and police and resentment at what many see as Jakarta's plundering of its resources.

Many senior officials and military leaders fear its breakaway would stoke other separatist movements and deprive the cash-strapped central Government of vital revenue.

The secret plan was drafted by the Home Affairs Department's director-general for national unity, Ermaya Suradinata, who confirmed the document's authenticity and said it was part of Jakarta's blueprint for a peaceful solution in Irian Jaya.

"Rising calls for independence in Irian Jaya have gained momentum as ... the independence group grows more solid than ever," it says, warning that separatist sympathisers have infiltrated local government in the province, also known as West Papua.

The document calls for a two-pronged strategy: a hearts-and-minds campaign and a clandestine intelligence operation. Mr Suradinata said the clandestine intelligence operations would prevent violence by "certain groups". There are also fears bloodshed could erupt for the December 1 anniversary of tribal chiefs' 1961 declaration of independence.

Mr Suradinata said Jakarta wanted a peaceful solution, through increased autonomy and development for the territory. "Solving the problem of Irian Jaya cannot be done with violence. It must be done through dialogue," he said. "They feel, especially in the more isolated areas, that the Government is not paying enough attention."

In a grim echo of the failed strategy to keep East Timor under Jakarta's control, the secret plan urges the formation of village militias. Two militias operate in Irian Jaya: one in favour of independence and a smaller pro-Jakarta group. But they have not yet reached the bloody level of the pro-Jakarta East Timor militias.

Mr Suradinata said the militias were not intended as a paramilitary force, but as "working partners" to help the Government implement its policy and win over the Irianese.