TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Presidential Special Staffer for Papua, Lenis Kogoya, claimed that he had called on all Papuan headmen to retreat from the rally in Jayapura. “I have sent messages to the people there that I order each headman to recede,” said Lenis in his office, Jakarta, Friday, August 30.

Lenis explained that he had coordinated with the Jayapura Police Chief to pick the protesters up. They spent a night at the Papua Governor office, hoping for a meeting with the governor. Lenis said he had talked them into returning home since the governor Lukas Enembe was not in the province.

“Jayapura police have moved to Sentani to pick them up. So perhaps, the conditions in Jayapura city will be conducive soon,” said Lenis, who is also the head of the Institution for Papua Indigenous Community.

According to Lenis, the conditions in Jayapura were returning to normal after the protesters returned home. Besides, Deiyai regency has become safe as well after the riot a few days ago.

The rally-turned-into riot in Jayapura, Papua on Thursday, August 29 paralyzed the provincial capital. The situation was tense. Several stores and office spaces were closed since 12:30 local time. The mass also burned down the office of Papua People’s Assembly and several other buildings.

Demonstrations have spread to almost all regions in Papua in the last two weeks. They condemned the acts of racism against Papuan students in Surabaya. They also demanded a referendum for an independent Papua.

FRISKI RIANA