Tue, 07/17/2007 - Indonesian police have been accused of killing, raping and torturing civilians with impunity in the province of Papua.

The New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the most serious abuses were being carried out during the hunt for separatists.

Opposition to Indonesian rule in the isolated province has simmered since Jakarta took over from Dutch colonial control in 1963.

Indonesian Police Chief General Sutanto denied any abuses were taking place.