Jakarta (Antara) – Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said that Wamena refugees were ready to welcome and have a dialogue with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo today, Oct. 28.

"The refugees are all ready to hold a dialogue with the President even though they were no longer at the evacuation post as they shelter in people's residence," said Waterpauw as quoted from Antara, Monday, Oct. 28.

Waterpauw explained several refugees, especially children and women, took shelter at worship houses or military headquarters. Those refugees did not have a place after demonstrators set fires to their homes during the riot on September 23.

"Some 50 people who are still displaced are homeless victims because their houses were burnt by rioters," said the former police chief of North Sumatra.

The situation in Papua and two cities that would be visited by President Joko Widodo are relatively safe and under control, Waterpauw added. "I and the Cendrawasih Military Command (Kodam) have been here in Wamena since Sunday," Waterpauw said.

President Jokowi was scheduled to visit Wamena today, Oct. 28, to monitor the region following the deadly riot that claimed 33 lives and damaged thousands of houses last month. The President would then depart to Jayapura to inaugurate Yotefa Bridge, which stretches over Yotefa bay.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1265191/papuas-wamena-refugees-ready-for-dialogue-with-jokowi-police