Puncak Jaya Local Elections Have Claimed 55 Lives
Thursday, 09 February, 2012 | 21:30 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The regental elections in Puncak, Papua, disturbed by riots in Ilaga, have claimed 55 lives since mid-2011. The clash involved two groups, each supporting regent candidates Simon Alom and Elvis Tabuni.

“There have been 55 people who have died during the course of the elections. On Saturday, two more died of shooting,” said Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono on Wednesday. However, the spokesman said that situation in Ilaga is conducive.

The police have dispatched one platoon of the mobile brigade to secure the area. “The police have been working to encourage peace there but clashes still happen,” said the spokesman.

JERRY OMONA| FRANSISCO ROSARIANS