Sentani, Jubi – Jayapura Police said 78 students were detained while they were preparing to take part in a demonstration against the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in Sentani, the capital of Jayapura Regency in Papua province, on Tuesday (15 September 2026). The students were registered and later released.
Jayapura Police Chief AKBP Dionisius V.D.P. Helan said the students were detained because they were suspected of intending to join a protest organised by the West Papua Student Solidarity (SPWP).
He said the students were detained in several locations, including the Pos 7 area and BTN Matoa in Sentani, before being taken to the Sentani Kota Police Station.
According to Helan, the measure was taken to maintain public safety and ensure the students did not leave school during class hours.
“There was no arrest or beating of the students. We took them to the Sentani Kota Police Station in a humane manner. We gave them water and contacted their teachers to pick them up at the police station,” Helan said in a statement received on Tuesday evening.
Helan said the police action was intended to protect the students from becoming involved in activities that could disrupt their education or public order.
“It was during school hours, when the students should have been studying. We wanted to prevent them from being influenced by groups seeking to disrupt public order in Jayapura Regency,” he said.
Police also seized several banners and pamphlets opposing the MBG program and calling for free education, Helan said.
He added that police would coordinate with schools to determine appropriate measures to counsel the students involved.
“The most important thing is that these children continue to receive an education and are not used by certain parties for interests that could disrupt public order,” he said. (*)
