Papua Police and Mobile Brigade were deployed to secure the demonstration (Jubi)
Jayapura , 12/3 ( Jubi ) – A student protest group denied police accusations that they were out to sabotage next month’s elections.
Jayapura police chief Alfred Papare said Wednesday ( 12/3 ) that protestors under the Youths, Students and People Movement ( Gempar) wanted to disrupt elections by calling for a boycott.
“We want to clarify regarding our permit for the action. As far as we know, we had delivered a notification letter one week before the rally ” Gempar coordinator Yason Ngelia told reporters.
“We clearly said we do not boycott the election. We held a demonstration in order to reject the New Autonomy Bill. The chief accepted and responded immediately to us. He should have known our goal in this rally ” he stated.
A student was beaten up by police officers in the demonstration.
“We saw with our eyes. The presence of many officers was very excessive and we did not ask for such redundant security. We are also very disappointed that our friend Ailes Jikwa was beaten by police officers, ” he said.
Philipus, member of Gempar urged police to return two megaphones and flags seized during the protest on March 4 in Waena, Jayapura.
“The police have operating allowances and we do not. So, do not take our stuff , ” Philipus told reporters (12/3). (Jubi/Aprila/Tina)
