Jakarta – Police and Irian Jaya's rebels were involved in a shootout Saturday when the rebels attacked a base camp of PT Dharma Mukti Persada logging company in Wonggema village, Wasior district, Manokwari regency. o casualties were reported in the clash, Antara reported.

Members of the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) guarding the camp fired back at the attackers, who fled to the jungle, chief of Manokwari Police precinct Adj. Snr. Comr. Bambang Budi Santoso said Sunday.

He said the police had deployed 12 additional Brimob troopers to the site to reinforce the security guards there. More troopers would be flown in there Monday, said Bambang.

No information was available on the motive of the attack. Sources meanwhile speculated that it might have been related to a dispute on land compensation between the company and local villagers.

Last August the company paid Rp 143 million in landcompensation to three tribal chiefs representing the Mere, Toroar and Maerasi tribes in the regency.

Earlier the people demanded Rp 9 billion in compensation, but after negotiations both sides agreed to settle for Rp 143 million. The amount was further reduced by Rp 13 million as payment for a debt the people owed the company, sources said as quoted by Antara.