The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has assigned a team to investigate the death of Deiyai resident Yulius Pigai, believed to have been caused by police gunshots after dozens of local residents ran amok and burned a facility belonging to a contractor company in the Papuan regency.

The team, led by Frits Ramandey, a Komnas HAM representative in Papua, is scheduled to depart for Deiyai on Thursday to begin the investigation into the incident after locals and Yulius’ family demanded the police take responsibility for the shooting.

“This is an important case. We have to respond as soon as possible,” Frits told The Jakarta Post in Papua’s capital of Jayapura on Wednesday.

Yulius Pigai, a 28-year old resident of Tigi district, Deiyai, died at the scene on Tuesday when the police tried to disperse the angry crowds that destroyed a construction camp ...