Jakarta, Jubi — The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regrets the deployment of hundreds of personnel from the Police’s Mobile Brigade and the Indonesian Military (TNI) following the burning of dozens of buildings in Dogiyai Regency, Papua. Komnas HAM assessed that the deployment of forces actually worsened the situation and added to tensions in Dogiyai.
“We hope there was no such deployment for the situation to calm down. We appeal to all parties, let’s go hand in hand to build a safe and secure situation in Dogiyai,” said Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam, as quoted by CNN Indonesia on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Anam said he would check the deployment of the troops by asking directly to the Papuan Police. “We will check with the regional police until when these troops are deployed and for what purpose,” Anam added.
Anam also believes that the establishment of the Dogiyai Police Headquarters had worsened the situation because many residents objected. “This is what makes the situation not conducive,” he said.
Previously, around 100 people consisting of women and children fled to the TNI-Police post in Dogiyai after their houses and kiosks were burned by an unknown party on Sunday night, May 22.
According to police records, 20 units of houses located in the villages of Ikebo, Kimipugi, and Ekimanida were burned down. There were no casualties in this incident. The police then deployed 105 joint personnel to Dogiyai Regency to strengthen security in the area after the riots that resulted in the burning of residents’ houses.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said the joint personnel consists of members of the TNI Battalion RK 753/AVT and Papua Police’s BKO (under operational control) (*)
