Two Papuans from the Moni tribe have been shot dead by the Indonesian Police's Mobile Brigade during a clash in the remote province.
The Jakarta Globe reports the police took action using guns, after tribesmen shot arrows at them.
The Papua police spokesman, Senior Commander Sulistyo Pujo, says that Mimika police had gone door to door in Timika to recover guns and other weapons after tensions between the Dani and Moni tribes had increased and threatened to spill over into violence.
Meanwhile about 350 police in Jayapura were deployed to maintain security during a rally organised by the Movement of Youths, Students and People, a response the students say was excessive.