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ne died and two others were injured, believed to be caused by a stray bullet, during a Monday’s clash between residents and the police at Wamena airport in Jayawijaya regency in Papua.

Papua Police spokesman Snr. Comr. Wachyono said the clash broke out during a baggage inspection at the airport.

“Some of the passengers were believed to have carried Free Papua movement paraphernalia in their luggage. They refused their luggage being examined and a quarrel ensued. At the same time, around 50 people threw rocks at the airport police station. Police then fired warning shots in the air and chased the crowd,” Wachyono told The Jakarta Post.

In the clash, Jayawijaya Police chief Adj. Snr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta was hit by a rock and lost one of his front teeth.

The incident had caused tension in Wamena city, said local resident Matius, when reached by the Post.

He added learning activities in some schools were halted at one point “The situation has improved now,” he said.

The dead victim is identified as Ismael Lokobal.

The situation returned to normal after Jayawijaya Regent Wempi Wetipo held a meeting between the Baliem chapter Papua Traditional Council (DAP) and the police.

Based on the outcome of the meeting, an autopsy would be conducted on the victim to determine the cause of death and the DAP promised not to engage in attacks.

“The situation is peaceful and residents have returned to their daily activities. We are waiting for the autopsy result,” said Wachyono.

Based on the chronological of events made available to the Post by the Indonesian Central Mountain Students Association (AMPTI) secretary general Markus Haluk, a carton believed filled with Free Papua paraphernalia was in fact contained 400 caps of the Papua Land Keepers, which were being brought in from Jayapura to Wamena.

During baggage inspection, the bearer explained the carton was filled with caps, but police did not believe him and seized it, including Rp 40 million (about US$4,000) in cash and DAP documents, and later brought them to the airport police station.