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Church leaders in Indonesia’s conflict-wracked Papua area known as for calm Sunday as 1000’s fled to shelters after a two-year-old boy was killed in a firefight between authorities troops and independence-seeking rebels.
The restive area on the easternmost fringe of the Southeast Asian archipelago has been the scene of intermittent clashes for many years in one of many world’s longest-running insurgencies.
This week, a two-year-old boy was killed in an trade of gunfire whereas a six-year-old was hospitalised for bullet wounds sustained within the midst of a firefight in Intan Jaya district, in line with authorities, who mentioned the rebels later tried to take management of the native airport.
Police earlier blamed the guerrillas for the lethal capturing, however AFP couldn’t independently confirm accountability for the killing.
Conflicting accounts are widespread in Papua, the place Indonesian safety forces have lengthy been dogged by allegations of gross rights abuses in opposition to civilians.
Fearing extra violence, about 2,000 Papuans have taken shelter in church-run buildings, mentioned Father Dominikus Hodo on the Catholic Diocese in conflict-hit Timika.
“We’re calling on each opponents to right away maintain a ceasefire and begin a dialogue to result in lasting peace,” Hodo advised reporters Sunday.
Papua Police spokesman Faizal Ramadhani acknowledged the killing and that 1000’s have fled the realm, however added that the navy had been in command of important public services.
“The scenario has been getting a lot better,” he advised AFP on Sunday.
Insurgent spokesman Sebby Sambom mentioned this week’s firefight was a authentic battle within the struggle for independence.
“Our stance may be very clear in defending the suitable of the Papuan folks to ascertain a state assured by worldwide regulation,” he mentioned in a textual content message.
“The struggle for the liberation of the Papuan nation is not going to cease till Papua is free.”
A former Dutch colony, mineral-rich Papua declared itself impartial in 1961, however neighbouring Indonesia took management two years later promising an independence referendum.
The next UN-backed vote in favour of staying a part of Indonesia was broadly thought-about a sham, and set off years of battle.
Papua’s largely Christian, Melanesian inhabitants shares few cultural connections with the remainder of Muslim-majority Indonesia.
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