Students lament Papua turmoil

Cendrawasih University’s student board says it regrets the increasing turmoil in Papua, stating that the heated situation only served to create fear among residents.

Board chairman Benyamin Burik said allowing the tensions to continue would restrict civilians abilities to carry out their daily routines.

"We are afraid to do almost anything, especially at night," he said Wednesday as quoted by Antara state news wire.

He also urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to seek a peaceful resolution to the recent spate of violence that has left several civilians and security personnel people dead and dozens of others injured in separate incidents.

Benyamin also urged lawmakers and the National Human Rights Commission to form an independent team to investigate the recent increase in violence.