JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug 21 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia deployed more troops to the restive West Papua region, as demonstrations spread to several communities in the region, with reports of a prison break, injuries and more attacks that belie earlier assurances by the government that the unrest had been contained.
President Joko Widodo’s chief security minister, Wiranto, told reporters that, Jakarta is deploying more troops to the region, to anticipate protests, when demonstrators are expected to hold bigger rallies today (Wednesday).
Wiranto did not say if the government deployed military or police officers. But a video showed hundreds of military and police personnel arriving in Manokwari, capital of West Papua province, where the most violent of protests first took place on Monday, leaving government buildings and business establishments burned to the ground.
Major General Sisriadi, spokesman for Indonesia’s armed forces, said on Wednesday that, the military has sent 300 troops to Manokwari. Before the protests, one military battalion was assigned in West Papua province, while four military units were stationed in Papua province.
Images sent on Wednesday showed Papuan protesters in Fakfak, a regency in West Papua province, raising their pro-independence flag.
Showing the flag in public is prohibited. According to Indonesian law, individuals carrying the banned flag could face arrest and imprisonment of up to 15 years.
On Wednesday afternoon, reports said that military and police reinforcements have arrived in Fakfak.
Meanwhile, in Timika, West Papua province, angry protesters took to the streets on Wednesday as soldiers with riot gears and rifles look on.
Meanwhile, a female protester was shot in her ankle in Manokwari, according to Victor Yeimo, the spokesperson for West Papua National Committee (WPNC), which initiated and organised the protests.
In Sorong, the largest city of West Papua province, protesters blocked the roads and gathered in front of the mayor’s office on Tuesday.
