Need joint action from authorities, people on Papua violence: lawmaker

Joint action of authorities and people

Jakarta (ANTARA) – A legislator representing the Papuan constituency has appealed to the police and military (TNI) to work closely with regional governments and Papuan communities in handling and seeking solutions to the conflict in the province.

“The prioritized policies of the law enforcement and security agencies in Papua are how to create a sense of security and comprehensive peace on the land of Papua,” Yan Permenas Mandenas said in a statement about his official visit to Jayapura on Wednesday.

During his visit, Mandenas, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) who represents the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) faction, met with deputy Papua police chief, Brig.Gen. Matius D.Fakhiri, and several police officers.

At the meeting, he was apprised of the current security situation in the districts of Intan Jaya and Nduga following violent attacks carried out by armed groups operating in the areas, Mandenas said.

The armed groups behind the crimes must be arrested and brought to justice to allow local communities to resume their peaceful lives, and the regional administrations to continue serving the people, he remarked.

Over the past few years, there has been a spate of violence in several parts of Papua and West Papua, where armed separatist groups continue to pose a real threat to civilians and security personnel.

Intan Jaya district in Papua recorded its bloodiest month in September this year, with armed groups mounting a string of attacks in the area, which left two soldiers and two civilians dead and two others injured.

The notorious armed groups in the Indonesian province have continued their acts of terror in October.

On October 6, 2020, for instance, several members of an armed Papuan group reportedly fired at an Indonesian Military (TNI) post in Pasar Baru Kenyam neighborhood, Nduga district, injuring one civilian.

The civilian, identified as Yulius Wetipo (34), got shot while crossing the TNI security post on his way to work, according to information received by ANTARA. He was headed to the PT Dolarosa camp.

He reportedly sustained gunshot wounds on the left and right side of the waist.

On October 9, 2020, another group of armed criminals ambushed a joint fact-finding team (TGPF) probing a recent shooting in Mamba village, Sugapa subdistrict, Intan Jaya district.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) confirmed it was behind the attack on members of the TGPF set up by the government. One of the fact-finding team’s members and a soldier were injured in the attack.

The TGPF member — Gadjah Mada University (UGM) lecturer Bambang Purwoko — was shot in the leg, while TNI soldier First Sgt Faisal Akbar of the Hitadipa Task Force sustained injuries on his waist. (INE)

Joint action of authorities and people