Police Call Student Quarrency At SMAN Elelim Leads To Riots On The Yalimo Police Dormitory

Riots in Elelim, Yalimo Regency, Papua Mountains, Tuesday (16/9). (ANTARA/HO-Humas Polda Papua)

JAKARTA - The Papuan Regional Police (Polda) said the riots that occurred in Elelim, Yalimo Regency, Papua Mountains, started with an argument between students studying at SMAN Elelim.

"From the reports received, the dispute between students caused a riot," said Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Cahyo Sukarnito, to Antara, in Jayapura, Tuesday, as reported by Antara.

He said that currently the security forces are still trying to control it so it does not spread.

Meanwhile, Yalimo Police Chief Kompol Joni Samonsabra separately explained the riots that occurred by Elelim on Tuesday, September 16.

The riot started with an incident in the school environment during the learning process. One of the students with the initials AB, allegedly issued a speech alluding to his friend who is also a student in that class.

Those remarks sparked a reaction from several students who then beat AB.

Initially efforts to resolve problems had been made in the teacher's room, but tensions did not subside, causing a number of students and people who were provoked by these words to persecute AB, and they even attacked teachers who were trying to intervene.

"When members of the National Police arrived at the location, they had received attacks from the increasing number of people," said Kompol Joni Samonsabra.

He said that the masses then set fire to kiosks allegedly belonging to AB's parents, who spread to the Yalimo Police officers and dormitories nearby.

"One member of the National Police was reported to have been hit by an arrow in the head and is currently receiving treatment from the medical team," said the Police Chief.