Benny Mawel, Jayapura – A joint force of personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police dispersed a group of Papuan students protesting the government's plan to extend Papua's special autonomy status on Monday.
The protesters, who were students of Cenderawasih University, held a demonstration at the main gate of their campus in Abepura district, Jayapura, Papua.
The joint force reportedly seized the demonstrators' banners, fired tear gas and warning shots into the air.
Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) director Emanuel Gobay said two students were injured after being hit by the security personnel.
The students were identified as Yabet Lukas Degei, a student from the School of Law, and Telius Wanimbo, a student from the School of Teachers Training and Education.
"[Yabet] was beaten with a gun on the back of his head," Emanuel told The Jakarta Post on Monday. "[Telius] was hit with a gun on the top of his head, kicked and beaten in the face."
Papuan human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer said the efforts to quash the demonstration had violated the right to express opinions in public, in accordance with Law No. 9/1998 on freedom of expression.
Gustaf urged the central government to stop all forms of restrictions against the right to express opinions and any form of violence against citizens.
He also urged the National Police and TNI to immediately change their approach in law enforcement and security in Papua. He asked the National Police chief to immediately evaluate the performance of local police chiefs in Papua.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ahmad Mustofa Kamal confirmed with the Post on Tuesday that security personnel had dispersed a group of student protesters in Abepura but declined to elaborate on what conditions had triggered them to do so. (syk)