Police to Build 31 Posts in Wamena

BIDANG HUMAS POLDA PAPUA

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw (second left) and XVII Cenderawasih Military Command commander Maj. Gen. Herman Asaribab (third left) arrive on Sunday (13/10/2019) on their inspection visit to Wamena in Jayawijaya regency, Papua.

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS — Amid the continuing police and military presence following the deadly riots on Sept. 23, a local resident was killed on Saturday (12/10/2019) at 3:20 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT) by two unidentified assailants in the Wouma area of Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, Papua. The authorities have responded seriously to the incident, stating that they would build 31 police posts across the city.

The new posts are to be built in those locations deemed vulnerable. "As many as 30 officers will be assigned to each post. The posts will be placed in areas especially prone to security problems," Jayawijaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tonny Ananda said in Jayapura on Sunday.

The plan to build the police posts has the support of the Jayawijaya regency administration, which has readied a budget for the project. Jayawijaya Regent John Richard Banua said the police posts aimed to protect the people.

"We will continue to coordinate with security forces, community leaders and church leaders so that such incidents do not recur," said John.

The police said that two unidentified men attacked Deri Datu Padang, 30, and Bunga Simon, 38, as they were traveling by motorcycle along with four friends after they had renovated the toilets of a church in Wouma district.

The two individuals attacked the group with a knife as they were crossing Wouma Bridge. Deri and Simon fell off their motorcycles and the perpetrators fled.

Deri was stabbed in the stomach and was taken to Wamena Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries at 4:50 p.m. WIT.

PANGKALAN TNI ANGKATAN UDARA SILAS PAPARE

Indonesian Military (TNI) Silas Papare Air Force Base commander First Marshal Tri Bowo Budi Santoso (right, foreground) bids farewell to a group of children as they prepare to board a plane on Friday (11/10/2019) in Sentani, Jayapura. The Air Force helped fly 104 displaced people back home after calm was restored to Wamena, Jayawijaya regency.

Worried residents

Contacted separately, Entis Sutisna, the chairperson of the Sundanese Community Association in Wamena, said that local residents were alarmed by the stabbing incident in Wouma. Papuan and non-Papuan residents of Wamena had increased vigilance by arranging neighborhood watches to secure residential areas at night.

The wave of refugees returning to Wamena continued to grow on Sunday as security was restored following the Sept. 23 riots, which claimed 31 lives and burned down hundreds of houses and public facilities.

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said in a press release that the police were reevaluating the situation following the attack in Wouma. The Papua Police and the Jayawijaya Police were restoring security by strictly enforcing the law through proper procedures. Paulus asked residents not to take justice into their own hands, as this could trigger new conflicts.

He also emphasized that specific security measures were no longer being applied in Wamena. Instead, the police would increase group patrols, establish security posts in areas prone to disturbances and seize sharp weapons.

KOMPAS/FABIO M LOPES COSTA

A group of children play on 8 October 2019 at the Tongkonan building in Jayapura city. The children are among the 1,028 people who fled the riots in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, and are taking shelter in Jayapura.

XVII Cenderawasih Military Regional Command commander Maj. Gen. Herman Asaribab, who was visiting the regency with Paulus, said that no preventive measures were being taken and that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would be using force in restoring security to Wamena.

In Jakarta, Papuan groups are continuing their campaigns, including the Papuan People’s Solidarity and the Kitorang Basodara public fundraiser, which has raised Rp 1.5 billion to date. The fundraiser is a collaboration between the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) Alumni Association, the Gadjah Mada University Alumni Family and the Cenderawasih University Alumni Association.

West Papua Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani said that Papua’s governors and regents would meet with the Transportation Minister to discuss the development of transportation infrastructure in the province. (FLO/PDS)