Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Police have shot dead an armed law fugitive on the island of Yapen, Papua, after resisting arrest.

Maikel Marani, leader of a gang of armed criminals was killed after exchanges of fires in the village of Konti Unai in Yapen, Papua on Monday morning, police spokesman sr. comm Ahmad Kamal said by phone here.

Police came to pick up Maikel Marani from his hidden place in the house of his parent in law.

"Maikel resisted and police have to shoot him," he said, adding,

Maikel has been in the police list of "wanted men".

Police found an old weapon and ammunition and the Bintang Kejora flag of the Papua separatists .

Papua is still a hot spot for Indonesia with separatist rebels hiding in the mountain jungles of the countrys easternmost and backward province.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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