Responding To 13 People, 4 Indicated The Mastermind Of The Wamena Riot

The masses burned kiosks and houses of residents in Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Mountains. (photo: intermediate dock)

WAMENA - Papuan Police arrested 13 people behind the riots in Wamena. From the results of the interim examination, four of them were indicated by the masterminds of the riots.

"4 indicated (the masterminds of the riots, ed), 9 are still under investigation," said Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Adi Prabowo when confirmed, Saturday, February 25.

Although, some of them are strongly indicated as the masterminds of the riots, their legal status has not been determined. The reason is that the intensive examination process is still being carried out. "It's still in the process of being investigated. They were arrested during the riots," said Benny.

The riots were triggered by the circulation of hoaxes or false information about the kidnapping of minors on Thursday, February 23.

The riot started at around 12.30 WIT. At that time, the grocery seller's car was stopped by residents in Sinakma for allegedly kidnapping children.

The Jayawijaya Police responded to the stop of the car to end it so that it was taken by the judiciary. However, the situation turned around.

As a result of the riots, two members of the Police and TNI were injured. They were flooded by the rioters. "Two people were hit by arrows, one police officer and one from the TNI," said Benny.

Then, from the data received, 16 other members were also injured. They were hit by bricks from the rioters. "In total, 18 people became victims," he said.

The riots also killed 10 people. Two of them were local residents who were targeted by the mob. While the rest came from the rioting group.

"The 8th was the rioting mob who took firm action by the TNI-Polri," said Benny.