Timika, Papua, Sept. 26 -- The Indonesian police officers in Mimika District, Papua Province, dismissed claims of having cracked down on several youths rallying for discontinuation of the special autonomy status granted to Papua and West Papua.

"The allegations are completely groundless," Head of the Mimika Police Precinct's Criminal Investigation Unit Adjunct Sen. Coms. Hermanto stated in Timika, the capital of Mimika District, on Saturday, in connection with the rally staged on Sept 23.

Hermanto denied allegations by several individuals that the policemen had physically abused protesters while clarifying that the policemen, assisted by several military personnel, were instead attacked by them.

"They pelted stones at us at Perintis St...