Police Investigating People Linked To Tembagapura Shooting Incident

Jayapura, Papua, Jan 8 (Antara) - The police have detained at least 102 people allegedly linked to the shooting incident in which two police officers and a private security officer of PT Freeport were killed in Utikini Village, Tembagapura District, Papua. The police have detained hundreds of people at the Mimika Resort Police Headquarters on Wednesday (Jan. 7) to investigate the case. Public Relations Officer of Papuan Provincial Police Patrige Renwarin informed Antara here on Wednesday that the police have detained the people in separate combing operations. The police have detained 90 people along with the "papua merdeka" document from the West Papua separatist group on Tuesday (Jan. 6). In the meantime, security officers, on Wednesday (Jan. 7), also detained 12 people who are believed to be the accomplices of the Papuan armed group leader, Ayub Waker. The 12 people surrendered after being chased by the police. "The rough terrain and bad weather sometimes hinder the pursuit," Patrige pointed out. The shooting incident claimed the lives of two police officers: Second Brigadier Riyan Hariansyah and Second Brigadier Apriadi and a private security officer Suko Miartono. The three security officers were patrolling the Utikini Village when the armed separatists attacked their vehicle. The separatists also took away two Steyr AUG rifles and the ammunition belonging to the police officers.