An exiled West Papuan independence leader says people from a
remote village near the Freeport mine have fled into mountains for fear
of the Indonesian military.
Benny Wenda says Indonesian authorities have conducted mass arrests and burned down homes in the village of Utikini.
The police have confirmed that a 500-strong joint police and military
force has been deployed to the Timika region in response to the
shooting of two officers and a Freeport mine security guard on New
Year's Day.
However, Mr Wenda -- who says he has spoken to people from the
village -- says the military has beaten and tortured innocent people in
their hunt for the perpetrators and burned a number of houses after
finding independence flags.
"[in the] last four days, most of the people in the villages have
run, and some of them are still hiding because this village, the
Indonesian police and military have occupied and all the roads are
blockaded and there is no way to go out."
Benny Wenda has questioned the speed of the response to the
shootings, when there is still no resolution over the deaths of five
protesters allegedly shot by the military in Paniai last month.
Enter Published: Radio NZ
