Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta Police have secured several demonstrators from the Papua Students Alliance (AMP) for raising the banned morning star flag, a symbol of the Papuan independence, during a rally around Hotel Indonesia, on Tuesday.

Operations Bureau Chief City Police Commissioner Pol Martuani Sormin revealed that the police had secured 127 people.

"The demonstrators were also carrying weapons," Martuani noted.

A total of 10 buses were used to transport the protesters to the Jakarta Police Headquarters.

Jakarta Polices Director General of Criminal Investigations Commissioner Krishna Murti remarked that the police will not detain the protesters.

He noted that the police will obtain information and record the identities of the students.

AMP spokesperson Abido confirmed that during the demonstration, the morning star flag was not raised. The demonstration was held to voice the aspirations regarding the expression of Papuan identity to mark December 1.

Abido urged the central government to grant freedom to the Papuans to live independently in determining their own rights as a democratic solution for the people of West Papua.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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