2) Indonesian Military Deploys 1,200 Soldiers to West Papua, Southwest Papua
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https://en.jubi.id/kuyawage-truth-seeking-team-investigates-alleged-shootings-and-abduction-of-civilians-by-security-forces/
1) Kuyawage Truth Seeking Team investigates alleged shootings and abduction of civilians by security forces
Wamena, Jubi – The Kuyawage Truth Seeking Team, which consists of six representatives of community organizations including women leaders, youth leaders, church leaders, and students, as well as representatives of the Nduga Administration, investigates the alleged shootings and abductions of civilians and minors by joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces.
Nduga’s women leader and rights activist Ragga Kogeya said that ever since the hostage-taking of New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) on February 7, 2023, the TNI and Police have been conducting military operations in Kuyawage, Lanny Jaya Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.
“As a result, civilians fled to the forest, including children. They become victims of military violence,” she said during a press conference in Wamena, Jayawijaya, on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Kogeya said the Kuyawage Truth Seeking Team had recorded the victims of military violence. “A minor named Parena Karunggu (16) was shot in the back of the waist, and the bullet is still lodged in the body,” she said.
Wity Unue (17) suffered torture and died in detention. Preson Gwijangge (15) is still in military custody but his whereabouts is not yet known by the family.
Ependak Karunggu (15) was tortured, while Cerita Telenggen (25), Kejar Murib (15), and Oumeka Tabuni (28) are still in detention but their whereabouts are unknown.
“Those children are not part of the TPNPB, they are students. We are disappointed with the TNI and Police because they have also falsified one of the victim’s identities, namely Wity Unue, who is 17 years old but was made 31 years old,” she said.
Kogeya also asked the TNI and Police to immediately report to the victim’s family regarding the whereabouts of their children. “So the families know whether they are still alive or have been killed,” she said.
Kogeya also hopes that the President, the Minister of Law and Human Rights, the TNI commander, and the police chief immediately withdraw organic and non-organic troops from all of Papua, especially Nduga and Kuyawage.
She also asked the local governments namely Nduga, Lanny Jaya, and Puncak administrations to ensure the security of civilians.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman I of the Nduga People Council Alimi Gwijangge said that many civilians fell victims in the military operation of the TNI and Police.
“We have found a lot of evidence. The council have seen a lot. We need to negotiate with the police chief and the military command in Nduga,” he said. (*)
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The deployment of 1,200 Indonesian Military soldiers to the XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command in West Papua and Southwest Papua drew public protest, including residents of Maybrat Regency joined in Aliansi Masyarakat Maybrat Peduli Kenyamanan. They voiced protests against the soldiers' deployment and the establishment of military posts in their villages, namely in Kampung Konja and Kampung Bori.
The spokesperson for the Kodam XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command, Colonel Inf. Batara Alex Bulo, explained that the assignment was aimed at providing a sense of security and convenience for the community. According to him, this was also related to the attack in Kisor Koramil in Maybrat on September 2, 2021, when 4 soldiers died.
Consequently, residents from 5 villages went for a mass exodus. Batara said that his side was striving to lure people to return to their villages. He claimed that the job is not easy. Residents were willing to return when there is a guarantee of security.
“The community has officially asked us, TNI, Polri (National Police), and the regional government to guarantee security,” Batara said on Monday, April 18.
Batara claimed he was not concerned about parties who have opinions opposite the TNI and asked them to bring data and facts if the TNI intimidates the people, or even enrich themselves.
In addition to providing security, Batara said it was also aimed at overseeing regional development which is considered a weapon to fight against groups that keep sparking conflict, even demanding the independence of its own territory from Indonesia.
Residents Demonstrate in Front of the Regional Parliament Building
A number of residents protested against the establishment of the military posts by holding a peaceful demonstration in front of the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) of Maybrat Regency on Monday afternoon, April 17.
“They (the TNI) suddenly came and did not explain their aims and objectives properly,” said action coordinator, Alberto Harin Turot, on Monday.
In its statement, the alliance said that a security approach such as presenting TNI soldiers actually creates new problems for the Papuan people. The presence of the TNI in villages is considered a threat to the convenience of people's lives.
FAJAR PEBRIANTO
Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) troops led by Perek Jelas Kogeya claimed to have shot dead nine of the Indonesian Military (TNI) members and seized nine firearms in Yal District, Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.
“TPNPB troops attacked a TNI post in Yal District, shot dead nine soldiers, and seized nine guns on Saturday,” TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom told Jubi in a written statement on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
“TPNPB leader Egianus Kogoya will continue this attack with the nine weapons,” he added.
However, according to the head of the TNI Information Center Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono, only one Yonif 321/GT soldier died while carrying out tasks in Mugi District, Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua.
“Until 2 p.m. [Jakarta time], the information I received was that only one person died, namely First Pvt. Miftahul Arifin. We have not received any other information because it is difficult to reach the location due to the weather,” said Widjojono during a press conference in East Jakarta on Sunday, as quoted by Antara News.
First Pvt. Miftahul Arifin died on April 15, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Papua time.
Julius said Arifin was a member of Yonif 321/GT assigned to Mugi to sweep the area in a search for the Susi Air Pilot Phillip Mehrtens, a New Zealand national who was held hostage by the TPNPB. (*)
"This afternoon, the Vice President received three ministers, namely Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim," a spokesperson for the VP, Masduki Baidlowi, said here on Monday.
Their meeting specifically discussed aspirations for Papua's development, including the Papuan church leaders' hopes that the state will build a Christian study center there, he informed.
"There are Islamic study centers in some regions, and (it has been suggested) that there be a Christian study center there," Baidlowi said.
The VP has instructed the PUPR Minister to plan for the center’s construction as soon as possible, he added.
Careful planning must be conducted as the Christian study centers will be developed in two locations, he said.
During their meeting, the Vice President and the ministers also discussed a plan to build a dormitory and an educational institution in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara.
"Everything is discussed, quite detailed, in-depth, and it is hoped that the plan will be partially implemented in 2023, and some can be completed in 2024," Baidlowi informed.
Earlier, Amin had emphasized that the government's push to achieve prosperity and peace in Papua will never cease.
"Although the efforts to bring prosperity and peace in Papua are not easy, the government with all its power will continue to work to realize this," he said while opening Conference III of the Papuan Muslim Council online on March 9, 2023.
The government has continued to bolster development in Papua, both in terms of infrastructure and human resources.
"The government's commitment is visible by the President's repeated visits to Papua and through massive development in the land of Papua," he said.
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