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Riots flare in Papua's capital, properties damaged
Rioting has broken out in Jayapura, Papua, as thousands of protesters marched toward the Papua governor's office from Sentani district.
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Thousands rally in Jayapura, Papua, on Aug. 19 to express their anger over racial abuse. (Antara/Gusti Tanati)
R
ioting broke out in Papua's capital of Jayapura on Thursday as thousands of protesters marched toward the Papua governor's office from Sentani district.
Benny Mawel, a contributor to The Jakarta Post from Jayapura, reported that the march had started in the morning at 9 a.m. local time.
"The crowd marched to the city center while yelling 'Free Papua'," Benny told the Post via telephone. "They burned tires and food carts along the road."
He added that the protesters had also set fire to the Papua People's Assembly (MRP) building and threw rocks at the Plasa Telkom building as well as other office buildings. Protesters also set fire to the Papua Trade Center (PTC) shopping complex in South Jayapura.
There were also reports that said the protesters had thrown rocks at a Horison Hotel and the Grand Abe Hotel.
There are four Horison hotels in Jayapura city and regency; three contacted by the Post said that they had not been damaged, while one, Horison Express Sentani, could not be contacted.
Wandi, a receptionist at the HOM Premiere by Horison Abepura hotel, told the Post that landline and cellular connectivity was down, making it difficult for the hotels to contact each other. The Grand Abe Hotel also could not be contacted.
