Mulia returns to normal after string of shootings

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sun, January 19 2014, 3:23 PM

The condition in Mulia, the seat of Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, remains stable despite shooting incidents and the theft of assault rifles from the the police by separatists.

"The situation in Mulia remains conducive while shootings have become routine for citizens,” Puncak Jaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Marselis said when contacted by The Jakarta Post from the provincial capital of Jayapura on Sunday.

“The assailants fled after firing the weapons.”

The last incident took place on Saturday at about 6 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Jakarta time) when an armed civilian group — a catchphrase for the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) — shot at the Pasar Lama post, which was manned by personnel from the 1714/Puncak Jaya Military District Command (Kodim), injuring two soldiers.

The soldiers were forced to retaliate.

Second Sgt. La Ode Amrin and chief Pvt. Ade Purnama Yuda were injured in the exchange of fire. Both soldiers were rushed to Mulia General Hospital and remained conscious, said the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command chief spokesman Col. Lismer Siantar.

Marselis said Papua Police’s internal affairs directorate was handling the ambush and subsequent theft of eight assault rifles from the Kulirik police post.

“It is negligence so there will be punishment,” he said, commenting on the January 5 incident.

ENDS

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