Four killed in Abepura

 A FAVOURITE shopping district for Papua New Guineans on the Indonesian side of the border yesterday became the scene of a shooting spree in which four people, including an army officer, were killed.

The latest deaths, in Abepura, just outside Jayapura, brings to 21 the number of people killed in the restive Papua province since Sunday and which have been blamed on the outlawed Free Papua Movement (OPM).

International media reported yesterday that on Sunday, 17 people were killed in political violence in Timika, Puncak district southwest of the capital.

In more recent past border skirmishes between the OPM and the Indonesian military, PNG and Indonesia authorities usually close the Wutung-Skoow border posts which connect West Sepik and Jayapura by road. 

There were no indications yesterday whether the border would be closed to traditional crossers who usually sells their garden produce at the Abepura market and PNG visitors who shop for cheap clothing and household goods at markets there.

According to the AFP news agency, the attack yesterday was the first such in almost four months, police said.

The unidentified attackers blocked a road near Jayapura, leading east to Abepura and the PNG border, opened fire on passing vehicles and then attacked the shocked passengers with machetes, police said.

An army officer and three others were killed, while seven were injured, Papua provincial police spokesman Wachyono told reporters.

“According to intelligence information, the Morning Star flag was found thrust into the ground by the roadside,” he added, referring to the outlawed flag of Papuan independence.

AFP quoted Jayapura police chief Imam Setiawan as saying authorities suspected the pre-dawn attack was the work of the OPM which had been fighting for independence for decades.

But Papuan customary council chairman Forkorus Yaboisembut, a community leader, said he believed the police or military were responsible.