West Papuan graduation parade turns violent as police block Morning Star symbol

On 2026-05-11, unrest broke out in Kobakma after police tried to stop graduates from displaying the West Papuan Morning Star symbol during a graduation parade. Human rights monitors said seven West Papuans, including students aged 17 to 24, were injured by gunfire, while police said they used tear gas and fired warning shots. The crowd reportedly threw stones at police infrastructure and the situation briefly descended into rioting and looting.