Jayapura, Jubi – A gun belonging to a member of the Yahukimo Police that was stolen by a prisoner had already been returned, a resident and police said.
“Thank God, today (Saturday, 21/3/2013) at 10:00 we found the weapon and returned it to the police, so the prisoners could be released with a statement made. Hopefully the situation continue to be under control,” said a resident in Dekai, Yahukimo by phone to Jubi on Saturday night.
He said about 50 people questioned by the Police after the incident had been released.
“Yesterday (after the dispute) a gun was stolen and some problems were raised. The night people from church and others searched the weapon in the forest and houses till they found it and returned it,” he added.
Papua Police Chief Inspector General Yotje Mende confirmed the gun’s finding and told Antara News Agency that the revolver belonged to the Yahukimo Police Intelligent Chief.
It was believed to have been stolen by a member of the West Papua National Committee, he said.
“Yahukimo Police Chief Ade Djadja Subagja just reported to me the seized revolver has been returned this morning at 10:00 Papua time,” Mende said in Timika on Saturday.
He said the situation in Yahukimo now was peaceful. The residents have returned to work as usual and mobility of transportation is returned to normal including the airplane service.
However, according to Mende, although the owner has received his weapon back, the Police will keep investigating this case. Further the Papua Police Chief admitted he responded it by sending the Mobile Brigade officers and Papua Police Special Force from Jayapura.
“I send my officers from Jayapura. I stressed them to find out this weapon. After being pursued, they voluntarily returned it to our officers. But we’ll keep to process the perpetrator,” he said. (*/rom)
