Jakarta (Antara) – The Papua Province Police deployed 1,300 officers to anticipate rally or other mass activities to celebrate the anniversary of separatist group Free Papua Movement (OPM) on December 1, a high ranking official said on Sunday.

Chief of the Papua Provincial Police Insp. Gen. Pol. Paulus Waterpauw stated that he did not give permit for activities to celebrate the OPM's anniversary. Hence, the Papua Police would restrict and oversee any mass gatherings organized in the province on Dec 1, he added.

According to Waterpauw, the Papua Police have beefed up security at several main areas, including the mountainous terrain in the province's central region, and all gold mining sites owned by Freeport.

He claimed that these areas have been targeted by some armed criminal groups for the past years.

Despite of the concerns, Papua Province remained under control and safe as there was no rally or strike occurring in the province, he stated.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1278766/anticipating-dec-1-rally-in-papua-1300-police-officers-deployed