Elections : 6 morts à Tolikara district (Papouasie) – 17 février 2012

6 Dead, 85 Hurt As Papua Poll Clashes Continue

thejakartaglobe.com

Banjir Ambarita | February 18, 2012

Jayapura. The death toll from violent clashes between supporters of rival political candidates in Papua’s Tolikara district now stands at six while the number of injured is nearing triple figures.

The contest for district head, initially scheduled for Friday, was postponed indefinitely on Thursday amid continuing violence.

“Supporters from both sides are still engaging in fights, and they are still seen in parts of [district capital] Kaburaga ready to fight,” Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said.

In Jakarta, National Police headquarters confirmed six men died and at least 85 people were injured during the clashes, which began earlier this week in Kaburaga.

Paulus said that so far the police had only found one body because the others had been cremated. “We have information that in accordance with the local customs, the bodies of other victims have been burned,” he said.

The election involves Golkar-backed incumbent John Tabo and his running mate Edi Suyanto, and the Democratic Party’s Usman Wanimbo and running mate Amos Jikwa. Read more…