Security Situation in Nabire Already Under Control

Jayapura, July 15 (Antara) - The Chief of Papua Regional Police Command, Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, said security in Nabire, Papua, has been under control after a riot that claimed 18 lives on Sunday night (July 14). "According to recent information, there are no more crowds seen and the dead victims have been taken to funeral homes," Karnavian said here on Monday. Karnavian said he was currently in Sentani Airport with several Papua Police officers and ready to go to Nabire to evaluate security situation there after the clash. "We have to evaluate to see whether security measures have been taken properly," he said. Karnavian said police will also question the committee of the boxing match to determine whether negligence was involved. He further said the most important thing to do now is to give best treatment to wounded victims. In view of that, the police have invited a health care team to go to Nabire. The deadly riot occurred when supporters taunted each other during the final match at the Nabire Regent Boxing Cup competition in Kota Lama Sports Stadium. Boxer Julian Pigome was defeated by Alfius Rumkorem in the match. Reacting to the loss, supporters of the losing boxer then threw chairs at their rival supporters who later responded by throwing back broken chairs at them, panicking people in the stadium The incident caused 1,500 spectators to scramble out of the stadium leaving 18 people dead after being trampled during the process, 11 of them women.