TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police Head of Criminal Investigation Commissioner General Budi Waseso said on Thursday, July 23, 2015, they had increase the number of witnesses examined in relation to the unrest in Karubaga, Tolikara, Papua.
“[On Wednesday] we examined 32 people, then increased the number to 37 witnesses," said Budi Waseso at the National Police Headquarters, Thursday.
All of the witnesses, said Budi, were allegedly associated with the incidence of violence that occurred on the morning of Eid. "Everyone [that are examined are] that are associated with those suspected of being involved in that activity," he said.
A group of people believed to be members of the Evangelical Church of Indonesia (GIDI) went to Baitul Mustaqin Mosque in Tolikara when Muslims were performing an Eid prayer on Friday. They protested the use of a loudspeaker during the prayer, stating that it was disturbing an event their church was holding at the same time.
According to the chairman of the Communion of Evangelical Churches and Institutions in Indonesia, Roni Mandang, there was chaos after police officers fired shots at them, which led to the torching of kiosks. Flames from these fires spread to the Islamic house of prayer, once it was known that a person had been shot dead.
It was later confirmed that one person was killed and 11 others were wounded in the incident.
MITRA TARIGAN
