independence Riots break out in West Papua

The Indonesian province of West Papua has entered a state of unrest following the arrest of student activists, resulting in a swelling independence movement and the Indonesian government imposing an internet blackout.

West Papua is located on the island of New Guinea, and specifically the western peninsulas, separating it from the other Indonesian province simply called Papua and from the independent nation Papua New Guinea in the east.

The province has been part of Indonesia since the Dutch withdrew from their colonial ambitions in the region, with a referendum in 1969 affirming its status as part of the larger nation.

Anti-Indonesian sentiment has remained however, with Papuas accusing Indonesia of having acquired their province through coercion and of neglecting its development ever since.

Race and culture are also factors, with native and indigenous tribal Papauans facing racism from other Indonesian ethnicities.

The current uprising started after 43 students were attacked by a mob for destroying an Indonesian flag during the country’s independence celebrations, with said students barricading themselves in a dorm for protection while police reportedly tear-gassed the building and shouted racist slurs.

An internet blackout has made it difficult to confirm how many deaths have resulted from the violence, with various outlets reporting protestors and soldiers being killed in varying numbers.