Jayapura, Jubi – The Cartenz Peace Task Force evacuated 25 gold miners who survived an attack by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya in Kalai I, Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency on Monday (10/16/2023).
Cartenz Peace Task Force chief Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani stated on Thursday that the miners were found as security personnel conducted a sweep around the attack site on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Those miners are now at the Yahukimo Police headquarter,” he said.
Meanwhile, seven miners who died in the incident were also evacuated on Tuesday.
Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri has called on all miners in the Ei River area of Seradala District to cease all activities and leave the area.
“We ask all miners to leave the area for the time being for their safety and effective law enforcement measures,” he said on Thursday.
According to Fakhiri, the sweep operation by the Cartenz Peace Task Force is still ongoing as of today. This means that if there are still miners in the location, they can be evacuated promptly.
“We will also obtain statements from the surviving miners, at the very least, we can determine how many groups were involved in the attack on the mining area,” he added. (*)
