{"id":275,"date":"2020-11-29T03:07:18","date_gmt":"2020-11-29T03:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=128105"},"modified":"2020-11-29T03:07:18","modified_gmt":"2020-11-29T03:07:18","slug":"36-arrested-after-police-break-up-free-papua-rallies-in-manokwari-sorong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2020\/11\/29\/36-arrested-after-police-break-up-free-papua-rallies-in-manokwari-sorong\/","title":{"rendered":"36 arrested after police break up Free Papua rallies in Manokwari, Sorong"},"content":{"rendered":"
The West Papua regional police (Polda) have arrested 36 people in Manokwari and Sorong city following a demonstration commemorating the anniversary of the West Papua New Guinea National Congress (WPNGNC) at the weekend, reports CNN Indonesia<\/a>.<\/p>\n West Papua regional police spokesperson Assistant Superintendent Adam Erwindi said that the people arrested on Friday were currently being questioned by police.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Manokwari Polres [district police] backed up by West Papua Polda Brimob [Mobile Brigade paramilitary police] have secured them and are taking information,\u201d said Erwindi .<\/p>\n Erwindi said that the protesters did not provide prior notification of the rally with police. The police claimed they had the authority to break up the protest as a result.<\/p>\n In addition to this, Erwindi said, the protest action was disrupting public order and blocking roads so that road users were unable to pass.<\/p>\n \u201cThe substance of the demo violated Article 6 of Law Number 9\/1998 [on demonstrations]\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n This article stipulated that in conveying an opinion people must respect the rights and freedoms of others, respect morality and safeguard security and public order.<\/p>\n Protesters told to consider security<\/strong> \u201cIf they\u2019re not in accordance with the above then police in accordance with mandated laws are obliged to break them up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n At least two Brimob members were injured after being hit by stones when the rally was being broken up.<\/p>\n According to the Antara state news agency, the demonstrators refused to disperse and pelted police with stones and bottles until they were pushed back by teargas.<\/p>\n The demonstrators who were forced back became even more brutal and continued pelting police with rocks and bottles. They also ignited firecrackers and threw them at police.<\/p>\n The demonstrators shouted \u201cFree Papua\u201d as they threw stones in the direction of police.<\/p>\n Translated by James Balowski for IndoLeft. The original title of the article was \u201c36 Orang Ditangkap Usai Demo Papua Merdeka\u201d<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
Erwindi asked that those who wanted to hold protest actions pay attention to the security situation and public order. He also warned that all protest actions must be in accordance with regulations.<\/p>\n