Kelly finally buried after 2-day hitch

Slain Papuan ;separatist leader Kelly Kwalik was laid to rest by hundreds of supporters Tuesday in the heart of Timika, following days of disagreement over his funeral.

Infighting had postponed the burial of Kelly, leader of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), from Sunday to Monday and finally Tuesday, in Timika, Mimika regency, after security authorities ruled against a plan to bury him near the Moses Kilangin Airstrip.

Funeral organizers eventually decided to bury Kelly in Timika Indah Cemetery on Jl. Budi Utomo, after concluding it was best to do it immediately as his body had been lying in state at the Mimika Legislative Council building for the past four days.

The funeral proceeded without incident, amid a heightened security presence from hundreds of Mimika Police personnel posted along the route from the legislature to downtown Timika.

Despite the rain, the supporters insisted on parading the body in a hearse.

The funeral service was led by Tiga Raja Cathedral’s Father Amandus Rahadat and members of the Timika diocese.

Loud sobs from hundreds of Kelly’s supporters filled the cemetery in Timika Indah.

The security detail for the funeral procession, headed up by Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Moh. Sagi, was made up of 200 armed police personnel.

The atmosphere at the Mimika legislature, on Jl. Cenderawasih, and later at the cemetery was peaceful.

Hundreds of people flocked to the two streets to watch the funeral procession and pay their last respects to the rebel leader.

Kelly’s casket had previously been draped in the separatist Bintang Kejora (Morning Star) flag, but this had been folded and taken home by his family.

Funeral coordinator and Amungme tribal youth leader Hans Magal said all Papuans should hold Kelly’s 35-year struggle for Papuan independence and justice in high reverence.

Papuans, he added, should respect and honor his struggle by sending him off in a good manner.

“The funeral procession will be held immediately today, and no longer postponed, because the priest has been waiting at Kelly’s grave to bless his soul,” Hans said.

He added all of Kelly’s supporters had agreed on Timika Indah as the final resting place for their leader.

They had previously demanded that Kelly be buried near the Moses Kilangin Airstrip, but were stopped by police, who cited the airstrip’s strategic importance.

Kelly was shot dead last Wednesday by police during a raid on a home in Timika.

The local military blamed Kelly for masterminding a series of attacks on employees of US-based copper and gold mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia.

Kelly strenuously denied the accusations.