Human rights groups in the Indonesian province of West Papua say at least 17 people are reported to died in Paniai regency, after police using helicopters fired on houses last week.
Radio Australia reports more than 20,000 people are said to now be homeless after security forces torched homes.
The head of Jayapura-based NGO Elsham, Ferry Marisan, said a number of those dead are said to be members of the Free Papua Movement or OPM.
He said according to their reports of those who died, about ten people were OPM members and the rest members of the local community.
