As a result of the flag issue, seven people died last Saturday in Merauke. Six civilians were felled by bullets and one was struck in the back and neck by arrows. The victims fell after supporters of Papuan independence who had swarmed about the Merauke local government park ran amok because the Morning Star flag they had raised was lowered by the security forces.

The lowering of the blue- and white-striped flag initially proceeded peacefully, a