Indonesia: Flights to Papua delayed amid riots

By Erric Permana

JAKARTA (AA) - Indonesian authorities on Monday called for a temporary delay in all flights to its easternmost province Papua amid fresh riots.

"We have coordinated with all parties including the armed forces and police to deal with the riots," Usman Effendi, regional head of the Airport Authority, told reporters in the capital Jakarta.

He noted that several flights to Wamena, the largest city of the highlands province, have been delayed.

Director General of Civil Aviation Dadun Kohar told Anadolu Agency they have coordinated with security and aviation stakeholders to maintain airport security.

Protests against ethnic discrimination against Papuan students turned into riots on Monday as mobs set ablaze government buildings in Wamena.