A group of angry residents set tires on fire at Oksibil Airport in Pegunungan Bintang regency, Papua, on November 18, 2017. Photo: Papua Police/Kompas/File
A group of people set fire to the residence of the head of Pegunungan Bintang regency in a riot in Indonesia's Papua province yesterday.
The crowd involved in the riot in Oksibil town also blockaded the local airport in the remote regency abutting the border with Papua New Guinea.
According to the Jakarta Post, the unrest was triggered by disappointment over the regent's failure to give prizes to participants of a fun walk event held to celebrate his district's 15th anniversary .
Locals reported that police were unable to quell the riot, and many local residents who feared for their safety sought refuge in local churches and mosques.
Authorities temporarily closed the airport.