By Samantha Semoso – EMTV Online
Benny Wenda, a West Papuan independence activist, says scores of people have been arrested and one person shot dead by Indonesian police in Papua yesterday for commemorating its Independence Day.
Several hundred protesters, mostly university students from Papua, took part in the demonstration to mark the anniversary of the region’s declaration of independence in 1961, two years before Indonesia took control.
Thousands of people across the world also took part in demonstrations to mark the anniversary when the Morning Star flag was first raised.
When Indonesia took control of the region two years later, it banned the flag.
Wenda says he’s had reports many people were arrested, beaten and intimidated across West Papua for making the day.
“In Serui, a person was shot dead by Indonesian police and two are in a critical condition and some of the members were also beaten up. Also in Nabire, a few days before the celebrations, 32 people were arrested, just preparing for the celebrations,” said Wenda.
