18 Oct 2017

Hundreds of security forces monitor Papua inauguration

6:24 pm on 18 October 2017

Police in Indonesia's Papua province have defended the heavy security presence at the inauguration of two new regents.

Indonesian police at a demonstration in the Papuan region

Indonesian police at a demonstration in the Papuan region Photo: Supplied / Whens Tebay

The Jakarta Post reports as many as 500 police and army officers stood guard during the inauguration ceremony in Papua's capital, Jayapura.

The new heads of Papua's Tolikara and Yapen Islands regencies are Usman Wanimbo and Toni Tesar respectively.

Papua's governor Lukas Enembe presided over their inauguration at his office, monitored by the joint security personnel who made attendees go through security screenings.

Jayapura's police chief Tober Sirait said security forces had been deployed to prevent any clashes during the inauguration.