Indonesia: 10 killed in riots in Papua Province amid 'child kidnapping' reports

This picture taken on February 23, 2023 shows police officers dispersing people in Wamena. - Indonesia has deployed security forces to Wamena town in the breakaway eastern region of Papua after 10 people were killed during a riot sparked by rumours of a child abduction, officials said on February 24. Pic/AFP

Ten people were killed and more than 20 others wounded in a riot in Indonesia's Papua province, police said on Friday.

The riots began on Thursday afternoon in Wamena town in the Jayawijaya district of Papua, the country's easternmost province, amid reports of a child kidnapping.

Local police who had responded to a report about the kidnapping -- which police later said was a hoax -- were attacked with rocks and arrows. Officers fired warning shots, hoping the people would disperse, Papua police spokesperson Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo said in a written statement on Friday.

"The masses, who were increasingly anarchic, did not want to listen to the appeals from the officers. They did not want to disperse when they were given warning shots and even attacked the officers with arrows," Prabowo said.

Two civilians died after allegedly being hit by arrows and sharp weapons. At least 20 people were wounded in the riots, including 18 police and military officers. Rioters also burned shophouses and other buildings, set up roadblocks and attacked vehicles.

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Prabowo said the situation was now "recovering and under control". Security officers were in the area and leaders pledged to investigate the incident.

Tensions in the restive region have spiked in the past year, with dozens of rebels, security forces and civilians killed in clashes.

A pilot from New Zealand was taken hostage by separatist rebels in Papua in early February. The Indonesian military said in a statement that community leaders and religious leaders, along with the regional government, were working to secure the pilot's release.

Last July, gunmen believed to be separatist rebels killed 10 traders who came from other Indonesian islands and an indigenous Papuan. Rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom accused the victims of being spies for the government.

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