Hundreds of demonstrators waving banners demanded Papuan independence Friday as they mourned the death of a rebel commander killed in a police raid in the restive Indonesian region. Up to 600 emotional Papuans gathered outside a local parliament building in the main town Timika as they prepared for the funeral of Kelly Kwalik, blamed by police for attacks on US mine workers.
Kwalik's body was to be put on display for mourners to see but it was not immediately clear when the funeral would take place. Police shot Kwalik dead Wednesday amid suggestions he was the leader of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), a shadowy militia that has been fighting for independence from Indonesia for decades.
"Though Kelly Kwalik has died, his vision will be alive forever for Papuan people," read one banner as they shouted angrily for independence. "We have lost our respected leader that had sacrificed his life for our independence," protester Thomas Wamang told AFP. "But there are still many from Papuan's young generation that will continue our struggle for independence."
Comments
Comments are closed.