Jerry Omona – The Papuan Caucus in the Indonesian Parliament has strongly condemned the burning down of dozens of houses and churches in the district of Puncak Jaya, Papua. These incidents are thought to have been perpetrated by the security forces from June to October 2010

"We condemn these incidents and intend to investigation them. There is clearly something going on there," said Agustina Basik Basik, member of the Papuan caucus in Parliament on Friday.

Agustina said that reports of these burnings had come to light at the same time as a video showing Papuans being tortured in Puncak Jaya. The video has been circulating widely on the internet showing appalling and inhuman acts against Papuans. "We must fight hard against such things," she said. "We totally reject such behaviour."

Agustina said she was certain many acts of torture had been perpetrated by the security forces against Papuans since before the video was circulated. "I know who it was who was doing such things and they have been blaming others."

Parliament's investigation body, the KPP, will visit the area where the burnings occurred and will urge the police to handle this case. "I cant believe that the TNI would have done such things as they are much more open and professional these days," she said.

The Dewan Adat Papua had previously reported that there had been burnings of houses and churches in Bigiragi, the district of Tingginambut, Puncak Jaya. The most recent incident occurred on 11 October 2010.

The DAP report said that seventeen inhabitants had lost their homes and everything they possessed had gone up in flames. About 250 bibles had also been destroyed in the fires which it said had been started by members of Brimob in Puncak Jaya.

"There is plenty of evidence of all this," said Forkorus Yoboisembut, chairman of DAP.