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Activists claim seven injured amid security response, internet blackout in Papua
The police and the military have both denied the claims as "hoaxes".
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Fires rage on Aug. 19 in Manokwari, Papua, as local residents take to the streets to protest racial abuse of Papuans. (AFP/Str)
T
he anti-racism protests that broke out across Papua and West Papua have resulted in civilian victims amid increased security measures and the government-imposed internet blackout, activists claim.
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has dismissed the claim, calling them “hoaxes”.
The protests started on Aug. 19 as a response to incidents in the East Java cities of Malang and Surabaya on Aug. 15 to 17, during which Papuan university students were targeted in physical and racist verbal attacks.
Activists said at least seven civilian victims had been reported in the two provinces. In West Papua, one person was injured in Fakfak and another person in Manokwari; in Papua province, five people were injured in Timika. Activists also said that two unverified victims had been reported in Fakfak.
West Papua human rights lawyer Yan Christian Warinussy said that 17-year-old Marnarson Ndrotndrot was severely injured on Aug. 21 during a protest in Fakfak.
"He was shot while trying to escape the mob. We discovered him with a gaping wound [in his abdomen]," Yan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Fakfak-based activist Vero Meak backed Yan's statement, saying that the victim was currently being treated in Fakfak Regional General Hospital. "Doctors have moved him from the emergency room to the intensive care unit," he said.
