Students in the capital of Indonesia's Papua province have had to flee gunshots as security forces disbanded a demonstration.
West Papuan students carry a wounded fellow demonstrator after security forces came to disband their rally, Waena, 27 October, 2020 Photo: Supplied
The university students were demonstrating against the Indonesian government's plans for a new Special Autonomy law in Papua region when members of both police and military forces came to disperse them.
Footage from Jayapura shows armed security forces personnel pursuing students through their dormitory precinct in Waena sub-district, accompanied by the sound of gunfire.
At least one student was wounded and has reportedly been taken to hospital.
A police spokesman has denied that the students were isolated in their dormitories, saying the demonstrators were disrupting public order.
He says during the Covid-19 pandemic mass public gatherings are not allowed.
According to the Papua Legal Aid Institute, thirteen people involved in the demonstration were arrested.
Indonesian police come out in force to disband to disband a West Papuan student demonstration against Special Autonomy in Papua. Waena, 27 October, 2020 Photo: Supplied