"Rufinus Tigau is an armed criminal group’s member. His group has become a primary target of a joint team of Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police personnel,” National Police spokesperson, Brig.Gen. Awi Setiyono, told journalists here on Thursday.
The Nemangkawi Task Force targeted the armed Papuan criminal group because its members, including Rufinus Tigau, who reportedly joined the group a year ago, had repeatedly troubled residents of Jalai village in Sugapa subdistrict, Intan Jaya district, he said.
"These armed criminals even robbed the villagers' properties and did not hesitate to kill them," he said adding, according to Tigau’s step-father Antonius Abugau, Tigau grew up in a pious Catholic family.
He, however, changed drastically after joining the armed criminal group, Abugau told Nemangkawi Task Force's investigators, who interviewed him recently, Setiyono said.
"Based on Abugau's statement, his step-son looked changed after joining the armed criminal group. His group had repeatedly robbed locals' properties, threatened local youths, and even killed a tribal leader last August," he informed.
Related news: Truth eagerly awaited behind Intan Jaya's recent deadly shootings
Related news: Intan Jaya probe: Minister to share findings on Oct 19
The tribal leader was reportedly murdered for trying to defend 'mama-mama' (Papuan women) merchants at a local traditional market from the criminal group's oppressions, Abugau told task force personnel, Setiyono said.
Rufinus Tigau's step-brother, Juius Abugau, told the task force's investigators that he had come to terms with his elder step-brother’s death, Setiyono added.
The cycle of violence in the Indonesian province of Papua has remained unbroken with armed groups in the Intan Jaya and Nduga districts continuing to target civilians and security personnel over the past two months.
Intan Jaya district 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 9, 2020, for instance, an armed group ambushed a joint fact-finding team (TGPF) set up by the government to probe a recent shooting in Mamba village, Sugapa subdistrict.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) confirmed it was behind the attack on the members of the TGPF. 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.
According to the records of the Papua police headquarters, over the past nine months, armed groups operating in Intan Jaya have been involved in 17 cases of violence against civilians and security personnel.
The increasing acts of lethal violence have cost six people, including TNI personnel, their lives, Papua police chief, Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw, revealed recently.
Armed criminals have not only targeted civilians and security personnel, but also set ablaze several excavators and kiosks.
In the past, armed groups used to cross Intan Jaya's areas en route to several mountainous areas, including those in Tembagapura sub-district, Mimika district. However, at present, they have made the district their base.
Waterpauw revealed that six armed groups are currently active in Intan Jaya's areas, including Hipadipa sub-district. They are led by Sebinus Waker and reportedly possess 17 rifles.
They reportedly snatched the weapons during raids against TNI and police personnel, including a Steyr rifle, which they had grabbed in 2015, he said.
Related news: Freeport security officer faces trial for armed group involvement
Related news: Joint team thwarted firearm trade in Papua's Nabire: Police
TVRI’s presence, including its 30th station in West Papua province, would enable Indonesians across the archipelago to know of events and regional developments taking place in Papua, President Widodo said at the online inaugural ceremony.
“In return, through TVRI, Papuan communities will also be able to keep (themselves) informed about other Indonesian regions,” he noted.
At the inaugural event, held the same day Indonesians commemorated the Youth Pledge Day, President Jokowi also urged youths across the country to set aside their differences and strengthen national unity and cooperation for the sake of the nation's progress and development.
During Wednesday’s event, West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan inaugurated the TVRI office building, located in Arfai neighborhood of Manokwari, the capital of West Papua province. (INE)
Related news: DPR to summon TVRI commissioners over president director's dismissal
Related news: Bappenas head proposes merger of ANTARA, RRI, TVRI
EDITED BY INE
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk
Indonesian special forces are turning West Papua into “more of a hunting ground”, warns an exiled Papuan leader in response to the shooting of protesting university students this week.
“These were live rounds.”
Earlier, Benny Wenda, the London-based chair of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP), said Indonesia was effectively imposing martial law.
More than a dozen students were wounded in the crackdown in the Papuan capital, Jayapura, on Tuesday with witnesses claiming Indonesian troops opened fire to disperse a peaceful rally, reports Virginia Langeberg of SBS News.
A young man was also severely beaten during the rally, according to video clips broadcast by SBS World News and shared widely on social media.
Months of fresh demonstrations have gripped the region as thousands of indigenous West Papuans renew calls for an independence referendum amid repression in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian provinces.
Some 13 university students were injured in Jayapura on Tuesday, with victims and witnesses claiming Indonesian troops opened fire to disperse a peaceful rally of about 20 people.
Cause of tension
Indonesia’s control of the provinces has long been a cause of tension among indigenous locals with low-level conflict and independence movements simmering for decades.
Despite a heavy military presence in the region and the threat of covid-19, demonstrations calling for an independence referendum reignited in July.
It came after hundreds of thousands rallied in August and September of 2019, only to be silenced by a flood of more armed troops.
The mounting death toll of West Papua’s latest escalation in violence has seen Australia being pressured to take a stronger stance.
It’s estimated up to 70,000 people have been displaced and 250 killed in the past two years of violence.
Victor Yeimo from the West Papua National Committee said action would continue.
“Our message is very clear, West Papuan people need a political solution,” Yeimo said.
“We’re calling on our Melanesian and Pacific leaders to upgrade its resolution to get the people of West Papua free from colonial power.”
For West Papuan refugees who fled to Papua New Guinea in the 1970s, there is still hope they will one day be able to return.
“We will stay in PNG for the rest of our life, or if West Papua independence is decided, we go back to our home,” said Olof Wayabgkau, who fled Jayapura in 1975.
SBS News contacted the Indonesian embassies in Sydney and Canberra but did not receive a response.
- Four speakers from West Papua and Indonesia will take part in a New Zealand webinar with the theme “#PapuanLivesMatter” hosted by West Papua Auckland Action on Sunday, November 1, 4pm. The speakers taking part are lawyer Veronica Koman, Papuan musician and activist Ronnie Kareni, KNPB international spokesperson Victor Yeimo and Papuan human rights worker Rosa Moiwend.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.