JAKARTA, Sept 24 (NNN-ANTARA) – The death toll from violent protest in Indonesia’s eastern Papua province, a day earlier, rose to 24 today (Tuesday), with 72 others injured, military spokesman in the province, Colonel Eko Daryanto, said.
Hundreds of furious protesters on Monday, torched homes and other buildings in Wamena and Waena of the province, during the rally, sparked by rumours that a high school teacher insulted students with racist words, but the police confirmed the stories were hoax.
“There is a hike in the number of casualty in Wamena, four other bodies were recovered. While in Waena two other personnel of the police mobile brigade unit were wounded,” the spokesman said.
That brings the total number of death to 24 and the injured to 72, said Eko, adding, many of the wounded were rushed to a hospital in Wamena.
The spokesman reaffirmed that one soldier was dead.
“However, there is a possibility that the number of casualty will ratchet up,” Eko said.
The spokesman reaffirmed that the situation in the province, particularly in both Wamena and Waena, became more conducive today, Tuesday.
Papua and West Papua provinces were stricken by protests, which turned deadly in Aug.– NNN-ANTARA