REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA -- Seventeen activists were detained on Saturday evening at the Nabire Resort Police station after they hoisted the separatist "Morning Star" flag.
Papua regional police command chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw confirmed the arrests but said he was yet to receive a complete report about the incident.
"Indeed, at around 16.00pm Eastern Indonesia Time, around 17 activists were arrested after they waved the separatist "Bintang Kejora" flag but a complete report has not been received about the incident yet," he said.
Ahead of December 1, the Papua regional police command held a coordination meeting with various security officials and community leaders.
The meeting was led by Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw and was attended by the Cenderawasih Military Command XVII's chief of staff, Brigadier General Herman Asaribab, the chairman of the Papua Legislative Assembly, Yunus Wonda, the head of the Papua chapter of the National Intelligence Agency, Brigadier General Hendi and Papua Community represented by Rev. Herman Saud.
Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw said the meeting was also attended by police resort chiefs from Jayapura City, Jayapura, Keerom, Yahukimo, Mimika and Jayawijaya.
He said the meeting was held to discuss the security measures required to be taken in view of the fact that the separatist organizations plan to observe December 1 and December 14, as the Free Papua anniversary day and the Melanesia anniversary day, respectively.
He admitted that there have indeed been reports about separatist groups' having such plans but said steps would be taken to thwart such intentions.
In this connection, he said, "We have coordinated with the Cenderawasih military command, represented by Brig.Gen. Herman Asaribab."
Around 237 personnel would be deployed for security on December 1 while Herman Saud has appealed to community members not to carry out pro-separatist activities and to continue with their daily routine normally.
Let the TNI and the police ensure the security, he said.
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