Police and military have stepped up security at government buildings in Mimika regency, Papua, on Sunday, a day before the funeral of separatist leader Kelly Kwalik.
The situation was reported as normal Sunday in the Mimika regency capital Timika, following a riot the day before in which supporters of Kelly’s pelted the regency legislative council building, where his body had been laid in state, with rocks.
The crowd dispersed after police and soldiers fired warning shots.
The riot flared up after Amungme People’s Institute executive director Nerius Katagame asked a crowd of about 500 to write down their grievances and aspirations in the wake of Kelly’s death.
The request apparently angered them as most of those at the rally were reportedly illiterate.
More local residents joined the crowd at the Mimika legislature Sunday to pay their last respects to Kelly, who was shot dead Wednesday by security forces.
The 800-strong crowd, which included councilors and community leaders, agreed to bury Kelly on Monday, but remained undecided on his final resting place.
His family had called for the Free Papua Organization (OPM) leader to be buried near Moses Kilangin Airstrip in Timika.
But security authorities forbad them from burying Kelly there.
Youth leader Hans Magal from the Amungme tribe, coordinator of the funeral procession, said the dispute over the burial site was the reason for the delay in Kelly’s burial.
“The police said Kelly Kwalik must be buried today or Monday at the latest,” he said.
“We’re still discussing this matter. We agreed earlier this afternoon to bury him on Monday, but we’re still deciding on a place.”
Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Moh. Sagi said the authorities were strictly against the rebel leader being buried near a place as strategically important as the airstrip.
He added the police had given the family and supporters until Monday to bury Kelly, otherwise the security authorities would do so forcibly.
“I’ve made it clear to the funeral committee that the Papuan provincial police have issued an order to immediately bury Kelly Kwalik,” he said.
Local councilor Karel Dwijangge said the casket would be opened Monday morning to allow local residents to pay their last respects before his burial.
Kelly was killed early Wednesday during a raid on a house in Timika.
The local military blamed Kelly for masterminding a series of attacks on employees of US copper and gold mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia.
Kelly strenuously denied the accusations.
A priest prays for the late Kelly Kwalik as Papuanese supporters of the late rebel commander surround his coffin covered with the Morning Star flag, in Timika, on December 21. Some 800 people attended the funeral of slain Papuan rebel leader, as anti-Indonesian sentiment ran high in the restive province following days of protests. (AFP/Tjahyo Eranius)
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