Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chief security minister Djoko Suyanto denied there had been a sweep against Papuan students conducted by the TNI (military) and the police so far.

"Give me the evidence. Show me where it happened (if it did happen) and at what time by whom and how many of them. The names of TNI members are put clearly on the uniform," he said to newsmen here on Thursday.

He said in the company of National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo and the chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Marciano Norman that "until now there has been no report about it while news about it has so far been spread by way of communication technology."

He said if any TNI member had really carried out such sweeps, harsh sanctions would be given to him as there had been no such policy so far.

"Moreover, there has been no connection between what has happened in Papua and sweeps in Jakarta and other regions. But if it is population registration all will be affected including Papuan students and it is done by city administration police," he said.

Djoko said "it is no more time for things like sweeps and what is the correlation between what happens in Papua and "sweeps" in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Makassar."

In connection with the rumor the chief minister called on all parties to report to the security authorities including the TNI and the police if they really found security apparatus conducting it.

"Just report to the National Police chief and the TNI commander if indeed their members are conducting a sweep against Papuan students because there has indeed been no such policy. I made the statement so that it would be clear and people understand," he said.

It was reported on Friday (November 11) a sweep had been carried out against Papuan students, which was suspected to be done by TNI and police personnel.

The students have reported it to the National Commission on Human Rights meanwhile the government has also stated before the parliament that it has issued no such policy.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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