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Two killed and two critical as soldiers open fire in Papua
Jakarta Post - August 28, 2015
The incident started when two military personnel rode a motorcycle along Jl. Bhayangkara in Timika at 2:35 a.m. on Friday while a crowd of about 100 people were having a party on the road.
Lambertus, a resident of Timika, spoke on the phone to kompas.com, saying that the incident started when the people partying, who had been drinking alcohol, scolded the soldiers for driving fast, and told them to drive more slowly along that road.
But the solders, Lambertus said, challenged the crowd and a heated argument began. "The people cried 'slow down', then the motorcycle stopped. One of the soldiers said, 'What do you want?' and then the people started to circle around the soldiers," he recounted.
Lambertus said that minutes later, three more soldiers on motorcycles arrived. When the situation escalated, they opened fire. "When the soldiers opened fire, everyone ran away to save themselves," he added.
The names of the deceased are Yulianus Okoare (18) and Imanuel Marimau (23). Yulianus died at the scene, while Imanuel died later at Mimika hospital. The critically injured people are currently receiving treatment at Mimika hospital.
Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Patrige Renwarin confirmed that the incident took place, but said that he had not received an official report about it. "My information [so far] is from a resident of Timika. We are waiting for the official report," Patriage added. (bnn)
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