CHURCH ASSOCIATION CONDEMNS MURDERS OF NON-INDIGENOUS SETTLERS IN WAMENA

Jayapura, Papua, April 14 (ANTARA) - The Association of Churches in Jayawijaya District (PGGJ) has condemned a series of murders and torture of civilians in Wamena over the past few days.

The PGGJ's statement was read out before Jayawijaya District Head Wempi Wetipo and the press here on Monday.

Rev Dorman Wandikbo, chairman of the PGGJ which groups 14 churches, said his organization regretted the murders which had claimed the lives of innocent civilians.

He said the violence was against the norms and teachings of the Bible, especially because they had happened during Easter when Christians commemorated the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.

The churches urged the Jayawijaya police to solve the murder cases and arrest the perpetrators in order to restore the security situation in Wamena and its surroundings.

The PGGJ also called on local people to revive the local cultural wisdoms and faith to guard harmony among various ethnic groups in the region.

On Wednesday evening (April 8), five motorcycle taxi ('ojek')_drivers, who were non-indigenous settlers, were stabbed. Three were killed and two were injured and in critical condition.

Last Sunday (April 12), another 'ojek' driver, also non-indigenous resident, was killed by unknown people in Wamena.

The local police were on Tuesday still investigating the murders.