Tension high in Papua province

Tension is high in the Indonesian province of Papua as separatists mark their would-be independence day.

A group pf several hundred people defied a ban on raising the independence flag, but there were no reports of violence.

At the weekend more than 40 people were arrested at a similar ceremony.

The separatists are marking the anniversary of Papua's independence from Dutch rule, before the province was swallowed by the Indonesian state.

The authorities have forbidden any attempt to mark the anniversary and brought in more than a thousand extra troops and police to prevent any disturbance.

Monday's ceremony was organised by the Papuan Presidium Council, which advocates a peaceful secession from Indonesia.

It was held at the house of the council's former leader, Theys Eluay, who was killed by the army two years ago.

The independence flag flew outside the house for around three hours, before soldiers moved in and cut it down.

The separatists were marking the proclamation of the state of West Papua on 1 December 1962 as the Dutch colonisers withdrew from the area.

Indonesia ignored the declaration and took control of the province in 1963.