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After shooting, an uneasy calm in Papua
Radio New Zealand International - March 24, 2015
Last week's event in Dekai, aimed at at raising funds for the West Papuan bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group, lapsed into chaos when police forces started forcibly breaking up the crowd.
The crowd became angry, a policeman's weapon was stolen and in the melee that followed, police fired at the crowd, killing one Papuan and wounding three others.
A local resident, who wishes for his name not to be used, says police continue to search for those who resisted police.
"Here in Yakuhimo, police have been chasing local people. There were three local people who got shot by police. Two days ago the situation was tense, but now the situation has begun to improve. Three people were shot by police, one has died."
Meanwhile, Tabloid Jubi reports that the West Papua National Committee, or KNPB, which organised the fundraiser, had received permission from authorities to hold the event.
However the KNPB says the police were well-informed of the event and that organisers were about to close the fundraiser when police opened fire.
The KNPB has called on the Papua Police force to show responsibility for their brutal and inhumane conduct in Yahukimo.
Meanwhile, it's understood at least one member of the KNPB was arrested. Police say the missing weapon has been retrieved.
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