In the past two weeks, protest rallies against racism have taken place in Indonesia’s eastern province, fuelling pro-independence sentiments. Two days ago, clashes in Deiyai's regency left one soldier and two civilians dead. Jakarta blames fake news for the violence.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Calm has returned to Jayapura, the capital of the province of Papua, after yesterday's violent riots. However, "It is as if the city were dead", a local priest told AsiaNews on condition of anonymity. "Since last night, there is not much action and the roads are deserted."
In the past two weeks, protests have taken place in almost all districts in the eastern province of Indonesia following a racist incident in Surabaya (East Java) against Papuan students.
At the rallies, some protesters called for a referendum on Papuan independence, a move rejected yesterday by Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal, and Security Affairs.
Yesterday’s violence brought Jayapura to a standstill as shops and businesses shut down at midday due to the rising tensions.
Protesters stormed the Papua People’s Assembly and set it on fire. Other buildings suffered the same fate, such as a post office and gas stations. Thousands of people threw stones at various office buildings and hotels in the city. The protesters who gathered in front of the Papua Governor Office went home only in the late evening.
This follows the death of a soldier and two civilians two days ago as a result of clashes between protesters and police in Deiyai regency. A rally that began peacefully turned violent when thousands of pro Papua Independence activists attacked soldiers and police with spears and machetes.
Earlier in the day, protesters had also gathered in Jakarta, outside the State Palace, waving the Rising Star (Bintang Kejora) flag of the Papuan independence movement.
The Indonesian government has reacted to the unrest ordering police to disperse protesters whilst trying a persuasive rather than a repressive approach. At the same time, Jakarta blames social media for online fake news and hoaxes that are dividing Indonesian society.
In fact, early unconfirmed reports from Deiyai had claimed that six civilians had been shot by government troops, sparking outrage. “Foreign media even covered it, whilst in fact, it’s untrue,” Minister Wiranto said.