Minister Deplores Shooting Incidents in Papua

Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto condemned recent shootings of civilians, foreigner, military or police members in Papua. "The acts were against efforts aimed at creating peace in Papua and accelerating development programs in the region," he said at a press conference here on Wednesday. In view of that he called on the police and TNI (military) to immediately seize the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He also asked people to help give correct information about them to the apparatus. The minister had earlier received a report as an initial information about shooting incidents in three different locations in Jayapura by unknown gunmen at around 10pm Central Indonesia Time on June 5. The victims include Iqbal Rifai, aged 22, a resident of Hamadi Pasar, Hardi Jayanto, aged 22, a resident of Klolfkam and First Private Frangki Kune, aged 25, resident of the Waena Combat Engineering Corps station. The three victims are now still being treated at Dok-2 regional hospital in Jayapura while the case is also still being investigated. "The violence must be stopped and the police with TNI help must immediately find the perpetrators," the minister said. (*)