https://www.indoleft.org/news/2021-03-14/jakarta-has-sent-21000-troops-to-papua-over-the-last-three-years-knpb.html
1) Jakarta has sent 21,000 troops to Papua over the last three years: KNPB
Arnold Belau, Nabire – Victor Yeimo, international spokesperson for the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), has revealed that over the last three years the state has sent 21,369 Indonesian troops to the land of Papua.
Yeimo said that based on data from the media and publicly available official statements, the number of non-organic TNI (Indonesian military) that have been sent to the land of Papua over the last three years stands at 21,609, comprising 10,000 in 2019, 8,000 in 2020 and 3,609 in the first three months of 2021. In three years Indonesia has sent 21 thousand troops to Papua.
"This doesn't include data on the number of Kopassus (Special Forces) [troops], it doesn't count the number of territorial troops in the two provinces (the Cenderawasih and Kasuari regional military commands). It doesn't count the number of non-organic and organic Polri[Indonesian police] in the two provinces. [And] it doesn't count the civilian militia armed by the state in Papua", explained Yeimo on his Facebook account on Saturday March 13.
Yeimo explained this massive deployment of military to Papua reinforces the fact that Papua is a military operation zone.
The aim of sending thousands of troops, he continued, is to occupy and secure the state's business interests and the illegal businesses belonging to the generals. Meaning Papua has truly become a protectorate where life and death is controlled by military force.
"The Papuan nation must confront the threat of militarism through the unity of the power of the ordinary people who are consolidated and led. Trust that the subject and object of a revolution is the ordinary people who are in motion and do not submit to the colonialists. This is currently being proven in Myanmar: the ordinary people are resisting militarism by peaceful and dignified means", he asserted.
As quoted by jubi.co.id, the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Papua's coordinator for justice, peace and oneness of creation, Pastor Leonora Balubun, said that the state continues to send troops to various parts of Papua, including Intan Jaya.
According to Balubun, the government is unwilling to listen to the calls and criticism of those asking for all non-organic troops to be withdrawn from Indonesia's eastern-most province.
"We ask for the troops to be withdrawn from Papua. But the state responses by sending more troops. Yet the state knows that the Papuan people are afraid (traumatised) by the military", said Balubun who is affectionately known as Dora Balubun.
Hard to get data on TNI in Papua
The Papuan Regional House of Representatives (DPRP) says that it is difficult to get data and information on the number of non-organic troops sent to the different parts of Papua every year.
DPRP Deputy Speaker Yunus Wonda said that even Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe, as the regional leader, probably does not know how many non-organic troops are routinely sent to the land of the Cenderawasih as Papua is known.
"Indeed in relation to the number of non-organic troops we don't know. Even perhaps the governor as the head of the region doesn't know", said Wonda as quoted by jubi.com.id on Friday March 12.
According to Wonda, it is impossible that the DPRP would receive official reports each time troops are sent to Papua.
The reason being that this is central government policy and the security institutions also have their own regulations and channels of command, separate from government regulations and systems.
"We are always asking the central government not to send excessive troops. The number of TNI and Polri personnel here are enough, it's functionalised", he said.
It is unnecessary to sent excessive troops from outside, said Wonda, as if Papua is under a state of war.
Wonda said it would be better if the central government trust in the regional police chiefs and regional military commanders. The TNI and police leadership in Papua are capable of overcoming the problems in different parts of Papua because they understand and know what approach to take.
"This makes us ashamed in the eyes of the international community, right. We confront our own people as if we're in a war zone. The troops which arrive from outside don't understand the character of indigenous communities", he said.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Victor Yeimo: Dalam Tiga Tahun Negara Sudah Kirim 21 Ribu Anggota ke Papua".]
"We respect the roots of the culture of the people where we are stationed," Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D. Fakhiri noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here on Monday.
Last week, Fakhiri had embarked on his first official visit to Timika, the capital of Mimika District, after being recently inaugurated as the Papua police chief.
By respecting and understanding the Papuan people's culture, the Brimob personnel would be able to steer clear from unnecessary problems that could dampen the public’s trust, according to Fakhiri.
To this end, the Brimob personnel, coming from different parts of Indonesia and stationed in Papua, must thoroughly comprehend ways to deal with the native Papuans, he emphasized.
Apart from gaining multi-cultural awareness, the Brimob personnel, who join the Nemangkawi task force and other units, must remain firm in dealing with any security challenge.
The military and police personnel stationed in certain areas, with high security risks, continue to face challenges posed by notorious armed Papuan criminals, who commit acts of violence, he stated.
In responding to this situation, all police officers should enforce the law in an assertive and measurable manner, he remarked.
"Being firm does not mean to be violent. Any act of violence must be stopped," Fakhiri affirmed.
Security disturbances have been reported sporadically from several areas, such as Intan Jaya District, where armed Papuan groups operate.
Reports indicated that several armed Papuan groups, including the one led by Sabinus Waker, operate around Intan Jaya.
Armed groups in the district have repeatedly engaged in gunfights with security personnel. They have also gone on a shooting rampage targeting innocent civilians.
ANTARA had reported the launch of a security operation -- "Operation Nemangkawi" -- in 2019 following the massacre of 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District, on December 2, 2018.
Armed Papuan rebels, who were reportedly behind the brutal killings of the Trans Papua construction workers, also killed a soldier, identified as Handoko, and injured two other security personnel, Sugeng and Wahyu.
The government has launched emergency response measures to address the impact of the most recent instances of armed conflict, which have forced around 600 locals to flee their homes.
To this end, Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry recently supplied aid packages to those taking refuge.
The aid packages comprised 660 packaged food boxes, 420 food packs for children, 100 folding tents, 200 folding mattresses, and 300 blankets.
Related news: Papua police to ensure optimal law enforcement against armed criminals
Related news: W Papua governor meets VP to discuss accelerated development
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"The presence of military and police personnel in Intan Jaya is aimed at ensuring that law enforcement is optimal against those committing acts of violence there," he affirmed.
To this end, Fakhiri has instructed all cops joining the Nemangkawi task force and units in areas, with high degree of security risks, to act bravely in responding to the criminals' acts of terror.
However, in cracking down on the perpetrators, the on-duty police officers should do their duties in an accountable manner to avoid risks that may harm innocent civilians, he emphasized.
The situation in Intan Jaya has shown improvement, and the district government is required to work closely with security personnel to restore security and public order there.
By restoring and maintaining the district's security and public order, public services for local communities could fully resume, he affirmed.
"Hence, we are optimistic of a solid collaboration between those from the military and police and their counterparts from the Intan Jaya district administration," he stated.
The Papua provincial administration is making efforts to restore normalcy in Intan Jaya that has borne witness to a spate of violence against civilians and security personnel in the past two years.
Intan Jaya recorded its bloodiest month in September, 2020, with notorious armed groups launching a series of attacks in the area that claimed the lives of two soldiers and two civilians and left two others injured. These notorious armed Papuan groups have continued their acts of terror during the new year.
On January 6, 2021, some 10 armed Papuans vandalized and torched a Quest Kodiak aircraft belonging to the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) at the Pagamba Village airstrip.
The armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel, while they unleash acts of terror against civilians to instill a sense of fear among the people.
On February 8, 2021, an armed rebel reportedly shot a 32-year-old man at close range in Bilogai Village, Sugapa Sub-district.
The victim, identified by his initials as RNR, sustained gunshot wounds on the face and right shoulder and was taken to the Timika Public Hospital in Mimika District on February 9.
On February 9, 2021, six armed Papuans fatally stabbed a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver.
The government has launched emergency response measures To address the impact of the most recent instances of armed conflict, which have compelled around 600 locals to flee their homes.
To this end, Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry recently supplied aid packages to those taking refuge.
The aid packages comprised 660 packaged food boxes, 420 child food packs, 100 folding tents, 200 folding mattresses, and 300 blankets.
Related news: W Papua governor meets VP to discuss accelerated development
Related news: Papua police promise prosperity-oriented approach
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