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Confusion over reports of missing residents in Puncak Jaya
An official has said that five people have been reported missing in theTingginambut district, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua
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A
n official has said that five people have been reported missing in theTingginambut district, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua. The missing persons report had caused fear among locals leading many of them to flee into the forest.
'We received the report directly from the families of the missing people. One of them is a high school student,' said Yunus Wonda, the deputy speaker for the Papua Legislative Council.
He said on-duty soldiers had been questioning locals who carried machetes and bows arrows on a daily basis. He said the soldiers were suspicious of the weapons while the locals considered them merely to be accessories.
'We always carry these weapons every time we leave the house. Is there something wrong with our culture?' Yunus said.
Cendrawasih Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua, however, denied there was anyone missing.
'It's just rumors. I have sent a team to Tingginambut and they have found that no residents are missing,' he said.
Meanwhile Puncak Jaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Marselis, revealed that he had received reports of two persons, not five, who had gone missing.
In February a guard post also in Tingginambut was ambushed by armed separatists, leaving one soldier dead. Another attack occurred the same day in Sirak, killing seven soldiers.(nai/dic)
