Hundreds of residents in Intan Jaya fled after a trader was shot

Internally displaced people in Papua

JAYAPURA | PAPUA | A total of 650 residents ranging from women, men and children from three villages in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya, including Bilogai, Kumbalagupa and Puyagiya villages have been displaced since Monday, February 8, 2020 to the Pastor and Bilogai Parish sisters.

This was revealed by Pastor Yustinus Rahangiar, Pr, that hundreds of people have fled since Monday this week.

Father Yustinus explained that the 650 residents fled after the shooting of a trader in Tigamijigi on Monday, February 8, 2021 afternoon.

Pastor Yustinus continued, currently all the displaced residents are still in the mission complex. Residents are placed in the Pastor and Sister Bilogai Parish.

“Since Monday the people who came we have placed in the rectory and the nuns. The number is 650 people. They are still here. They will return home after there is security clarification for the public from the security apparatus, “he explained.

Pastor Yustinus said foodstuffs for the community have since been used from stocks for YPPK Middle School student dormitories and contractor companies have also contributed foodstuffs. Yesterday on Tuesday, Bama was assisted by the TNI and Polri.

“So for Bama we used a small amount of stock prepared for the dormitory, assistance from a contractor company and yesterday there was assistance from the authorities. “Bama is what we use to feed the 650 residents who are here,” he said.

Regarding when people will return to their homes, Pastor Yustinus said that he does not know exactly when.

“Yesterday, when the security forces delivered food aid, I asked about security certainty so that people can return. But the authorities say they don’t know exactly when. We hope that this condition will recover soon so that people can return to their homes, “he explained.

Apart from that, from the security side, the Pastor also received information that the Regent of Intan Jaya, Natalis Tabuni would arrive in Sugapa today.

“Yesterday we also received information that the regent will arrive today. And already in Sugapa. We are gathering people in the church yard, ”added Pastor Yustinus.

As previously reported, TNPB member Kodap VIII Intan Jaya (a.k.a Free West Papua armed criminal group) admitted and announced that he had shot a trader in Tigamajigi.

After the incident, in anticipation of a chase against the perpetrators, the community was evacuated to the Pastor and Sister in Bilogai Parish.

Notes:

The case of internally displaced people in Papua affected by terror by Free West Papua armed criminal group were reported from the regencies of Mimika, Intan Jaya, Puncak, Lanny Jaya, and Nduga between 2019 and January 2021. The most brutal terror was the killing of 19 government contractors which resulted in armed clashes. After that incident, Free West Papua armed criminal group continues to kill and terrorize Papuan people who refused to work for them.