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uthorities are beefing up security in Papua amid rumors of unrest ahead of events scheduled for the 50th anniversary of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) on Dec. 1.

Residents in several cities in the nation’s easternmost province have reported receiving fear-mongering text messages warning of possible unrest or violence on Thursday.

The rumors come in the wake of a series of shootings by unidentified gunmen, allegations that authorities were involved in the wrongful deaths of native Papuans and violent protests led by striking workers against mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Saud Usman Nasution said 1,688 officers had been dispatched to key locations in Papua and would be supported by an additional 400 Mobile Brigade special operations unit officers temporarily assigned to the province.

National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman said the agency had intensified talks with community leaders on security issues.

“Building communication with all stakeholders is necessary in order to avoid any bad things from happening on Dec. 1,” Marciano said, adding that he had persuaded community leaders to ignore calls from some groups demanding Papuan independence.

Markus Haluk, the head of a Papuan student association, said students would hold peaceful activities on Thursday. “The Dec. 1 commemoration is the political right of all Papuans. We should not be afraid to celebrate it,” he said, adding that Papuans should ignore rumors of violence.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alfred Papare denied that the police had taken part in distributing alarmist text messages about OPM’s anniversary.

One such text message read: “Emergency: those who do not originate from Papua are advised not to leave their houses after 9 p.m. The political issues concerning the OPM have been heating up. The movement has allegedly been picking-up power and support.”

“This info is from the police,” the massage continued. “Pass it on.”

Jayapura Mayor Benhur Tommy Mano also dismissed the rumors.

“Don’t buy into such rumors coming from irresponsible culprits. Keep going about your daily business,” Benhur told reporters in Jayapura on Tuesday.

Previous celebrations of OPM’s anniversary have been marred by contentious incidents, such as the raising of the group outlawed “Morning Star” flag, leading to the arrest of several Papuans for treason.

A Papuan studying in Jakarta, Oktovianus Pagau, said that some of his fellow students had returned home due to an intensifying campaign of intimidation, including several raids on Papuan student dormitories.

“Some who have decided to stay in Jakarta and Yogjakarta will hold rallies against the government on Dec. 1,” Okto said.

Papuan students in Jakarta would go on a long march from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta to the Presidential Palace to mark the anniversary, he said.

A student from Timika, Papua, Carly Wilson Takimae, died on Tuesday. His colleagues alleged the student activist was killed to prevent him from mobilizing Papuan students in Jakarta on Dec 1.

The police allege that Carly died due to an illness. The third Papuan Congress in Abepura in October devolved into mayhem, leading to four deaths. (rpt)