Heavily armed Indonesian security forces move in to break up student protest at TV WestPapua
, Jayapura. Video:By RNZ Pacific
Indonesian police have forcibly dispersed hundreds of West Papuan university students holding a demonstration in the provincial capital of Jayapura.
The students were peacefully protesting against the extension of special autonomy status in the Indonesian-ruled provinces of Papua and West Papua.
The demonstration at the Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, was broken up by dozens of armed police, as shots were heard being fired.
READ MORE: Other Papuan protest stories
This was the latest in a series of demonstrations against special autonomy around cities in Papua and elsewhere in Indonesia.
Heavily armed Indonesian security forces move in on students at the Cenderawasih University protest, Jayapura. Image: TV WestPapua
Reports from the region last week said hundreds of demonstrators were arrested at different locations across Nabire regency.
A spokesperson for Indonesia’s government said that in order to curb the spread of covid-19 strict health protocols were being applied across the country.
This included restrictions on gatherings to a maximum of 50 people.
This article is republished by the Pacific Media Centre under a partnership agreement with RNZ.
PrintPMC Editor | Radio Free (2020-09-28T10:15:13+00:00) Armed Indonesian police break up Papuan protest at university. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2020/09/28/armed-indonesian-police-break-up-papuan-protest-at-university/
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