Indonesia: Police fire warning shots during student protest in Jayapura (Papua region) September 28

Event

Indonesian police reportedly fired warning shots to disperse university students attending a protest at Cendrawasih University in the Papuan capital of Jayapura on Monday, September 28. Students were demonstrating against government plans to extend the 2001 Special Autonomy law, which critics say has not done enough to help people in one of the country's poorest regions. A police spokesman confirmed that the police fired warning shots, but denied reports that two students had been injured and three arrested during the protest.

Tensions have been high in Papua following several security incidents linked to separatist groups, with several attacks having occurred in recent weeks, including the killing of a soldier near Sugape and a local motorcycle taxi driver on September 17.

Further associated protests are likely to take place in the near term.

Advice

Those in Jayapura are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Due to the attacks in recent weeks, those in Papua province are advised to exercise a high level of vigilance and report any suspicious activity or items to security forces.