MIMIKA, KOMPAS – An aid package from Papua’s Mimika regency administration containing basic necessities has not been consumed by the 1,300 residents of the three Distrik Tembagapura villages that are being held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB). The aid intended for the hostages has instead been seized by the armed group.
Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar in Tembagapura revealed the situation on Tuesday (14/11). The three villages controlled by the armed group led by Sabinus Waker are Kimbely, Banti and Utikini.
Boy said that in the last two days, 11 Banti residents had gone to get the basic necessities at the aid post at Tembagapura Police station. However, on the way back to the village, members of the armed group seized their aid package. “Those who were given permission to go get the basic necessities in Tembagapura were women. It turned out the KKB was ready for the residents, and they later took the items,” Boy said.
He added that delivering medicine for the people who were ill had also faced obstacles. “We cannot send a medical team with medicines to the three villages because of the unfavorable security situation. Furthermore, the KKB has damaged three roads by using heavy equipment belonging to PT Freeport,” Boy said.
He stated that an integrated military and police joint task force would make an effort to evacuate the villagers soon. The police are currently working on finding a way to evacuate the villagers without inciting violence with the KKB.
“Only one resident named Sugiono has been evacuated to Tembagapura hospital because of illness. Sugiono was escorted from Banti by a local resident,” said Boy.
National Liberation Army/Free Papua Movement (TPN/OPM) spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the organization had no intention of hurting any civilians. “We reject all the negative stigma by the military and police directed towards the OPM in Tembagapura. We will continue to fight until Papua is independent,” he said.
Head of Mimika regency’s Toraja Family Harmony Community, Yohanes Batto, revealed that around 300 Torajans live in Banti and Kimbely. “We ask the KKB to give speedy access to the rescue team,” Yohanes said.
A similar message was conveyed by the Indonesia Protestant Church leader in Papua, Donald Mahuse, whose congregation of 300 people is in Kimbely. “The KKB has gathered them in a church. We hope that the KKB will allow the people access to food,” Donald said.
Dismissal
Separately, eight Mimika Police personnel alleged to have assaulted Saldi Hermanto, a Salam Papua newspaper reporter, on Saturday (11/11) may face dishonorable dismissals. Saldi was hit in the head and stomach by the perpetrators, who were apparently offended by the victim’s status on social media.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ahmad Mustofa Kamal spoke of the incident on Tuesday. Ahmad said that the perpetrators could face dishonorable dismissal if they were found guilty of violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on group violence against an individual. “At the moment, they are still being questioned at Mimika Police headquarters,” Ahmad said.
Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Victor Mackbon said the eight police officers had been detained at its headquarters since Monday. “The legal process concerning them will be conducted transparently,” said Victor.
He offered an apology to the victim on behalf of the Mimika Police and hoped there would be no other cases of police attacking civilians.
(FRN/FLO/EDN/INA)
