The police were now still investigating the incident in which four people, including a military (TNI) member, were killed, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government is not ruling out the possibility Monday`s violence in Abepura, Papua, was an insurgent activity although police still had to find the perpetrators and ascertain their motive, a minister said.

The police were now still investigating the incident in which four people, including a military (TNI) member, were killed, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters before attending a fast-breaking function at the State Palace, Purnomo said the government would take firm action based on the law against any effort to undermine the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"We do not want NKRI to break up. This is a basic principle," he said.

Purnomo said he believed the violence in Abepura was linked to politics as police had found a separatist "morning star" flag at the scene.

"It was most likely connected with politics because a `morning star` flag was found there. Our principle is the integrity of NKRI must be safeguarded. There was no reason for them to carry the flag. This is a matter of principle," he said.

Three civilians and a soldier were killed after their car was stopped and attacked by unidentfied gunmen early Monday monring at Poros Koya, Abepura.

The attackers blocked the road and asked every car to stop and they then attacked the passengers with guns and sharp weapons.

During an investigation at the scene, police found cartridges, arrows, spears, a knife and a morning star flag.

Papua police spokesman Senior Commissioner Wachyono said police were still trying to indentify and find the perpetrators of the violence.

An attack by unidentified gunmen also happened in the same region on November 29, 2010.

Referring to the so-called conference of international lawyers for West Papua in London on Tuesday (August 2), Purnomo said it was part of certain people`s efforts to promote the idea of an independent Papua but their attempts were not responded to by the international community.

"They are not aware that no attention was paid to the conference. So the call for a referendum at the London meeting was not responded to by the world community," he said.

Chief security minister Djoko Suyanto meanwhile confirmed that shooting incidents had happened in Papua. The actions the government was taking to deal with separatist elements should not be easily branded as violating human rights, he said.

"Operations by security agencies must not always be perceived as actions that violate human rights," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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