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Indonesia restores calm to restive region

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- Indonesian authorities have restored control of northeastern-most region of West Papua where protestors set fires on streets and torched the local parliament building, said the police chief.
General Muhammad Tito Karnavian, speaking at a news conference on Monday, said security forces have taken control of the situation following the unrest, however he indicated that more forces could be called in if the situation warrants such a measure.
Governor Lukas Enembe said in a statement that demonstrators had torched the parliament building, hindered traffic and caused businesses to stop in the provincial capital, Manokwari.
The unrest broke out when government personnel arrested students who "slandered" the national flag during independence celebrations on August 17.
Separatists in Papua and West Papua have been holding demonstrations to press for their cause, separation from the motherland. (end) aib.rk