3) Jelek Waker-led armed group masterminded shooting of priest: police
4) Papua: Protestant pastor killed in an ambush
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/426602/week-of-violence-in-papuan-regency-culminates-in-pastor-s-death
1) Week of violence in Papuan regency culminates in pastor’s death
West Papua Liberation Army fighters in Intan Jaya Photo: Supplied
Media reports from the province indicated that at least two Indonesian soldiers were among the dead.The West Papua National Liberation Army claimed responsibility for shooting two Indonesian civilians last Monday in Sugapa, saying they were 'intelligence officers'.The Papuan independence fighters shot at a plane on the Friday, although there were no casualties.CNN Indonesia reported that the Gospel GKII Church alleged the military killed the pastor while he was walking to tend to his pigs.Pastor Zanambani was a prominent local figure who had translated the Bible from Bahasa Indonesian to the language of the local indigenous Moni.
————————————————————2) Papuan church alleges clergyman shot dead by TNI, not OPM CNN Indonesia – September 21, 2020Jakarta – The Tabernacle Bible Church of Indonesia (GKII) suspects that Reverend Yeremia Zanambani from the Intan Jaya regency in Papua was shot dead by members of the TNI (Indonesian military) on Saturday September 19. As a result of the shooting, the church’s congregation has fled to the forests in fear.
This contradicts a statement issued earlier by the TNI who said that Zanambani was shot by a criminal armed group (KKB) – the Indonesian government’s term for the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The information on the shooting was first uploaded on the GKII’s Facebook account @gkiipusat.
GKII national secretariat head Yahya Jahatela confirmed the information saying that Zanambani was shot as he was going to his pig pen.
“Yes, that’s correct. Currently we are still waiting on written information and data from Papua, but the information is indeed correct”, said Jahatela when contacted by CNN Indonesia by phone on Monday September 21.
Jahatela said that following the incident, seven or eight churches are empty with their congregations seeking refuge in the forest. “The congregations have fled into the forests because they’re afraid”, he said.
The GKII considers the incident to be a serious blow for church services in Intan Jaya and they are distressed about the loss of a spiritual figure for the Moni tribal people.
Zanambani was the head of the GKII church for the Hitadipa regency in Intan Jaya and was known as an evangelist who was dedicated and had integrity as well as a translator of the Bible into the Moni local language.
Jahatela said that they intend to write to the government after obtaining the complete data from the Papua GKII.
“[We’re] praying for the planned burial tomorrow and hope that the security forces can be prudent and behave fairly in safeguarding innocent people”, wrote the GKII central office on its Facebook account on Sunday September 20.
Earlier, III Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwihan) information head Colonel Czi IGN Suriastawa said that Zanambani was shot dead by an armed criminal group in Hitadipa.
According to Suriastawa, armed criminal groups have been spreading slander by accusing the TNI of shooting Zanambani.
“As I said yesterday, they are looking for momentum to attract attention from the United Nations General Assembly meeting at the end of the month”, said Suriastawa in an official press release on Sunday.
Suriastawa appealed to local people not to be provoked by the slander, particularly through social media.
“It’s clear that its being setup and manipulated to provoke the people, corner the TNI and Polri [Indonesian police] and government in the lead up to the UN SU (general session)”, he said.
Suriastawa said that the death of Zanambani adds to the long list of victims of the ferocity of armed criminal groups. He noted that several days ago, Papuan armed criminal groups attacked a civilian and two TNI soldiers. (pmg/sur)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Gereja Duga Pendeta Tewas di Intan Jaya Papua Ditembak TNI”.]
Jakarta – The Tabernacle Bible Church of Indonesia (GKII) suspects that Reverend Yeremia Zanambani from the Intan Jaya regency in Papua was shot dead by members of the TNI (Indonesian military) on Saturday September 19. As a result of the shooting, the church’s congregation has fled to the forests in fear.
This contradicts a statement issued earlier by the TNI who said that Zanambani was shot by a criminal armed group (KKB) – the Indonesian government’s term for the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The information on the shooting was first uploaded on the GKII’s Facebook account @gkiipusat.
GKII national secretariat head Yahya Jahatela confirmed the information saying that Zanambani was shot as he was going to his pig pen.
“Yes, that’s correct. Currently we are still waiting on written information and data from Papua, but the information is indeed correct”, said Jahatela when contacted by CNN Indonesia by phone on Monday September 21.
Jahatela said that following the incident, seven or eight churches are empty with their congregations seeking refuge in the forest. “The congregations have fled into the forests because they’re afraid”, he said.
The GKII considers the incident to be a serious blow for church services in Intan Jaya and they are distressed about the loss of a spiritual figure for the Moni tribal people.
Zanambani was the head of the GKII church for the Hitadipa regency in Intan Jaya and was known as an evangelist who was dedicated and had integrity as well as a translator of the Bible into the Moni local language.
Jahatela said that they intend to write to the government after obtaining the complete data from the Papua GKII.
“[We’re] praying for the planned burial tomorrow and hope that the security forces can be prudent and behave fairly in safeguarding innocent people”, wrote the GKII central office on its Facebook account on Sunday September 20.
Earlier, III Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwihan) information head Colonel Czi IGN Suriastawa said that Zanambani was shot dead by an armed criminal group in Hitadipa.
According to Suriastawa, armed criminal groups have been spreading slander by accusing the TNI of shooting Zanambani.
“As I said yesterday, they are looking for momentum to attract attention from the United Nations General Assembly meeting at the end of the month”, said Suriastawa in an official press release on Sunday.
Suriastawa appealed to local people not to be provoked by the slander, particularly through social media.
“It’s clear that its being setup and manipulated to provoke the people, corner the TNI and Polri [Indonesian police] and government in the lead up to the UN SU (general session)”, he said.
Suriastawa said that the death of Zanambani adds to the long list of victims of the ferocity of armed criminal groups. He noted that several days ago, Papuan armed criminal groups attacked a civilian and two TNI soldiers. (pmg/sur)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Gereja Duga Pendeta Tewas di Intan Jaya Papua Ditembak TNI”.]
———————————————
3) Jelek Waker-led armed group masterminded shooting of priest: police
7 hours ago
This armed group might have also plotted a string of shootings and attacks on army personnel and civilians over the past few days, Papua Police spokesperson Sen. Coms. Ahmad Kamal told journalists here, Monday.
The Waker-led armed gang members had attempted to lure military and police personnel into the area, but only some army personnel were, in fact, present at the Persiapan Hipadipa Military Sub-district Command, he noted.
"Hence, it is untrue that Priest Yeremia Zanambani, found dead in Hitadipa Village, was gunned down by security personnel," Kamal remarked, adding that the police will conduct a crime scene investigation to probe the shooting case.
In connection with this case, Sugapa Police Chief Second Inspector Engel Mayor had met with Priest Timotius Miagoni from the Indonesian Evangelical Christian Church (GKII) during which discussion centered on information on Zanambani's death circulated on social media platforms.
Priest Miagoni was quoted by Kamal as saying that he received a phone call from a family member of Priest Yeremia Zanambani in Hitadipa Village informing him of Zanambani being shot dead while feeding his swine at his pig pen.
"That is what I heard because I have yet to visit the village, so I am not able to speak further," Priest Miagoni was quoted by Kamal as saying.
Over the past few days, the notorious armed criminals in Intan Jaya District's area had launched a series of deadly attacks on both military personnel and civilians. As a result, four people died, including two army personnel.
On account of this situation, local residents and religious figures are recommended to not engage in outdoor activities at night by taking into account a spike in violent acts of armed criminals in the area, he stated.
Related news: Priest Zanambani gunned down by armed Papuan criminals: Military
Related news: Coffin of fallen soldier flown to Makassar from Biak, Papua
EDITED BY INE
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Papua:-Protestant-pastor-killed-in-an-ambush-51092.html
4) Papua: Protestant pastor killed in an ambush
The motive and the authors of the attack remain a mystery. Jeremiah Zanambani was
ambushed on his way to a pig farm. Protestant leader writes to the Indonesian president
asking for investigation and justice. The military command accuses the local independence
groups. Guerrilla activities hinder the development of the region.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A group of unidentified assailants, attacked and shot dead a
Protestant pastor in Indonesia, identified with the name of Jeremiah Zanambani.
The case is shrouded in mystery and the circumstances and motive behind the attack
remain unclear.
This has prompted the general secretariat of the Synod of Indonesian Protestant Churches
(Persekutuan Gereja-gereja, Pgi) today to send a letter to President Joko Widodo, asking for
a team of experts to be formed and an in-depth investigation.
In the letter, also sent for information to the head of the armed forces Gen.
Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and the chief of police Gen. Idham Aziz, PGI secretary
general Jaclevyn F Manuputty "strongly condemns the incident" and calls for "the
establishment of an independent commission of inquiry".
Rev Jeremiah Zanambani was in charge of the Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia (GKII)
community of Hitadipa, Intan Jaya district, Papua province. He was killed last September
19 with numerous shots, while on his way to a pig farm.
A note released by the military command in Papua lays the blame on a local separatist
armed group, better known by the acronym KKSB (separatist criminal armed movement).
Colonel IGN Suriastawa of the Third Central Command reports that the armed movements exploit these facts as "marketing gimmicks" to discredit Indonesian authority and institutions at home and before the
international community.
"As always happens - underlines the senior official - this type of events that discredit"
the country occur "on the eve of the general assembly of the United Nations". In Indonesia,
he continues, the question of the independence movement in Papua and its "guerrilla"
activities is becoming a serious obstacle for the central government in the construction and
development of the region.
Rich in precious minerals and other natural resources, the province of Papua has been the
subject of a massive exploitation campaign by Jakarta in recent decades, especially during
the authoritarian regime of former President Suharto (1967-1998). Under Widodo's
leadership, the central government has allocated billions of dollars in infrastructure
and development projects, especially roads.
The government projects are offset by the violence of separatist groups and armed
movements affiliated with the KKSB, which launch assaults and targeted attacks. On
December 5, 2018, at least 31 civil engineers from Jakarta-based PT Istaka Karya were
subjected to a brutal attack by the KSSB while engaged in the development of the projects.
The guerrillas responded by stating that the people affected were not "real" construction
workers, but elements of the "undercover" army.
The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) has urged President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to order a thorough investigation into the recent fatal shooting of Papuan pastor Yeremia Zanambani in Hitadipa district of Intan Jaya regency, Papua, allegedly committed by personnel of the Indonesian Military (TNI).
Citing reports from leaders of the Indonesian Evangelical Christian Church (GKII) and local media in Papua, PGI chairman Gomar Gultom alleged that Yeremia was shot by TNI personnel when he was on his way to his pig pen on Saturday, at the same time when a military operation reportedly took place.
“I strongly condemn the shooting that killed pastor Yeremia Zanambani,” Gomar said on Monday.
Gomar said the reports that the PGI had received differed from the account of the military, which published a statement on Sunday saying Yeremia had been shot by an armed criminal group in the area.
The GKII, PGI executives and figures of the Moni tribe in Papua -- an indigenous group from which Yeremia hailed -- were currently probing the incident, Gomar said.
He added that the PGI had sent a letter to Jokowi urging him to take action in the matter.
“We have sent a letter regarding this matter to the President [on Monday] morning,” he said as quoted by tempo.co.
The priest died after suffering gunshot wounds owing to the shooting by armed criminals in Hitadipa Village on Sept 19, Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) III spokesperson Col. IGN Suriastawa noted in a statement here Sunday.
Suriastawa denied allegations circulated by the armed criminal groups and their supporters on social media platforms that the priest was shot by TNI personnel when on the contrary, armed Papuan criminals had shot him.
The spokesperson contended that armed groups and their loyalists had intentionally distorted the fact to corner the TNI and Indonesian Government in their efforts to attract public attention ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.
In September, the armed Papuan separatists launched several attacks that ended with the deaths of two soldiers and a civilian. They also shot at two other civilians.
On Saturday (Sept 19), an Indonesian soldier died after being involved in a gunfight with several notorious armed Papuan rebels near the Persiapan Hipadipa Military Sub-district Command's compound in Intan Jaya District.
The fallen hero is identified as First Private Dwi Akbar Utomo, according to XVII Cenderawasih Regional Military Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Reza Nur Patria.
On Friday (Sept 18), the coffin of Chief Sergeant Sahlan, who was slain by an armed Papuan rebel group in Intan Jaya District of Papua Province, was flown to Makassar, South Sulawesi Province via Biak Numfor District.
Chief Sergeant Sahlan was killed in an ambush by a notorious group of armed separatists on Thursday (Sept 17) while he was returning to the Persiapan Hipadipa Military Sub-district Command in Intan Jaya District with food supplies from the Sugapa area.
The attackers seized his gun and magazine, Commander of the Biak-based 173/Praja Vira Braja Military Resort Command, Brig. Gen. Iwan Setiawan, noted in his recent statement.
Sahlan, a member of the 1404 Pindrang Military District Command in South Sulawesi Province, was tasked with backing up the Village Supervisory Non-Commissioned Officers (Babinsa) of the Persiapan Hipadipa Military Sub-district Command in Intan Jaya District, he noted.
In a separate incident on Thursday, armed Papuan rebels tortured and killed a 49-year-old motorcycle taxi Ojek driver identified as Badawi.
On Sept 13, armed separatists had also shot at two other Ojek drivers in Sugapa area, but they managed to survive the attack. The two drivers are currently undergoing treatment in Timika, the capital of Mimika District, Setiawan stated.
The security situation in Papua remains volatile owing to the province's vulnerability to acts of deadly violence by separatists and their backers.
In August this year, three civilians were assaulted and killed in Yahukimo District. One of the slain civilians was identified as Yausan.
Related news: Soldier dies in gunfight in Papua: mily spokesman
Related news: Nabire hospital treatment offered to PT NUH helicopter's three crew EDITED BY INE
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