Indonesian police fired rubber bullets on students at a pro-independence rally in the restive region of Papua on Tuesday, in clashes that injured at least eight protesters, witnesses said.
Hundreds of police were deployed as around 300 people gathered outside the University of Papua in Manokwari, and a clash broke out with students hurling stones at the officers, according to a reporter at the scene.
Police then fired rubber bullets on the crowd and four demonstrators were hurt, the reporter said, while another four were injured in clashes with officers.
The eight were taken to the local hospital but a doctor there indicated none of their injuries were serious.
Rally organisers, the youth secessionist West Papua National Committee (KNPB), also said four people were shot at the protest and taken to hospital.
Local reporter and activist Oktovianus Pogau said he was beaten badly by five policemen as he pulled out his wallet to present his press card.
“They punched me twice in the face and tried to strangle me. They hit other journalists and I saw at least two people get shot,” Pogau told reporters.
