Statistics agency office in Papua set ablaze

KOMPAS.com/WISNU WIDIANTORO

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) office in Karubaga, Tolikara, Papua, was set ablaze on Wednesday by a group of supporters of a regent candidate. The group was in dispute with supporters of other candidates.

BPS Papua head Djarot Sutanto said that angry supporters burned the BPS office building at 11:00 local time while a Democratic Party post next to the building also caught fire.

“The office building, which was rented, lies next to the Democratic Party post, so the fire spread to the building,” he said on Wednesday.

There were no casualties in the incident as fifteen BPS staffers quickly evacuated to a police office nearby. However, all archives and vehicles belonging to the office have been damaged.

The dispute also blocked road access outside Karubaga.