Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Relatives of a Papuan protester killed by security authorities in Paniai regency two days ago demanded on Saturday that Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. George Toisutta be held responsible for the death, accusing his soldiers of the shooting.

The body of the victim, identified as Mozes Douw, 15, had not been buried as of Saturday because his relatives want Toisutta to be present at the funeral, Paniai Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Anton Diance said.

The body is still at Enarotali military district command headquarters in Paniai, Anton said. "Relatives and local residents do not want to bury the body before the military commander comes," he said.

Unidentified security authorities opened fire on a group of protesters outside a police station in Paniai on Friday, killing one person and injuring two others.

Anton said the incident occurred when three people arrived at the Wagete district police station to complain about an earlier refusal by the station's chief to sign a form allowing them to ask for money from passing motorists.

Anton said the crowd around the police station, located near the city's military post, soon grew to about 100 people. He claimed members of the crowd assaulted police officer Second Insp. Ronald Tumana, and that was when the shooting occurred.

Anton said local police officers, accompanied by Enarotali military district chief Col. Efri Triasunu, had already met with the victim's family and local community leaders, but they insisted on meeting the Trikora Military commander.

Efri said the shooting was still being investigated. "I will go to Wagete to join the investigation to find who fired the shots and the motive behind the shooting," he said.

Meanwhile, Toisutta said in Jayapura earlier Saturday if any of his soldiers were involved in the shooting they would be punished. "I do not tolerate any violations by my subordinates and the perpetrator will be put through the legal process," he said.

Commenting on the demand by the victim's relatives that he attend the burial, Toisutta said he was prepared to oblige. "If the weather is good I will go, because that is one of my duties," he said.

Anton said the situation in Enarotali, the capital of Paniai regency, was calm and residents just wanted the shooter to be punished.

Frietz Ramandey, a member of the Papuan Human Rights Commission, deplored the incident. "Weapons should be used by the state only to protect people, not to kill them," he said.

In a related development, Australia has asked Indonesia to explain the shooting, Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock said Saturday, but he declined to speculate on whether the incident was linked to the flight of dozens of asylum seekers from the restive region. "We've asked our diplomatic representatives to obtain an appropriate report (on the shootings) for us," Ruddock said in Sydney as quoted by AP.

The shooting occurred a day after 43 asylum seekers from the province, including independence advocates and their families, reached Cape York in northeastern Australia in a traditional outrigger boat and accused Indonesia of genocide.