10 Jul 2009

Ongoing clashes with police in Kapeso leave four Papuans dead

4:17 pm on 10 July 2009

Reports from Indonesia's Papua say continuing clashes with anti-terrorist police in Kapeso of Mamberamo Raya district have left at least four Papuans dead.

The Antara news agency reports that three members of the OPM Free West Papua movement have surrendered to the local police command this week.

They are believed to be part of a larger group of about 100 OPM fighters who controlled Kapeso and its airstrip by armed blockade for almost a month before police took control of the village early last month.

However the Synod of Christian Evangelical Churches claims that sporadic clashes continue in Kapeso, with the latest leaving four local Papuans dead, believed to be shot by troops from Indonesia's Densus 88 crack anti-terrorist unit.