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Wamena riots not the result of ethnic conflict, says Papua governor
More than 17,000 people have left the Baliem Valley area as of Oct. 13, while around 400 remain in shelters set across Wamena. Native Papuans are also among the evacuees.
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Rows of shops remain abandoned on Oct. 8 following a fire that burned through them on Sept. 23 in the Pikhe area of Hubikiat district, Jayawijaya regency.
(JP/Syofiardi Bachyul Jb )
P
apua Governor Lukas Enembe has claimed that riots that broke out in Wamena, Wijaya regency, were not the result of conflict between Papuans and non-Papuans, adding that the province’s indigenous residents had tried to protect visitors and migrants from rioters.
"I’ve heard so many stories of Papuans protecting non-Papuans during the incident," Lukas said.
Riots broke out in Wamena on Sept. 23 after a student protest turned violent. Authorities have blamed armed separatist groups for stoking the unrest and sending its members into the small town to attack people, destroy public facilities and set buildings on fire.
At least 32 people died, most of whom were residents who had moved to Papua from provinces such as West Sumatra and South Sulawesi. Nearly 800 buildings were destroyed and burned down and over a hundred vehicles damaged.
More than 17,000 people have left the Baliem Valley area as of Oct. 13, while around 400 remain in shelters set across Wamena. Native Papuans are also among the evacuees.
Wahab, 70, who had moved from South Sulawesi to Wamena in 1969, said he had witnessed at least two deadly unrests: in 1977 and 2000. The situation, he said, would eventually improve.
"I am not afraid of such an incident anymore."
