Jayapura, Jubi – Following a clash that resulted in the shooting of civilians, casualties, and the destruction of numerous buildings in Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua Province, joint patrols were conducted by Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police on Monday, July 17, 2023. The patrol covered various locations including the Dogiyai Resort Police Headquarters, Moanemani Terminal, Market Complex, Koramil Jalan Tengah, Tokapo Village, Ikebo Village, and Kimupugi Village.
The joint patrol in Dogiyai was led by several officials including the Head of the Operations Bureau of the Papua Police Sr. Comr. I Ketut Gede Wijatmik, Commander of the Papua Regional Brimob Unit Sr. Comr. Budi Satrijo, and Head of the Profession and Security Division of the Papua Police, Sr. Comr. Gustav R Urbinas. There are also Sr. Comr. Joko Sulistio, deputy chief of Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force, and Dogiyai Police Chief Sr. Comr. Sarraju.
The objective of the patrol was to ensure a safe and peaceful situation, allowing people to resume their normal activities. Sarraju, the Head of Dogiyai Police, emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure environment and expressed hope for the swift lifting of the blockade, enabling the community to continue their daily routines, including teaching and learning at schools.
Papua spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo said the joint TNI and Polri patrol aimed to provide a sense of security and comfort for the residents of Idakebo Village and its surroundings. He further emphasized the importance of maintaining a conducive environment, preventing the recurrence of similar incidents in the future, and advised the public to be cautious about unverified information.
Previously, on July 15, a meeting was held by TNI/Polri at the Dogiyai Police Headquarters to deescalate the situation following the mass riot in Dogiyai. Brig. Gen. Franz Yohanes Purba, the 173/PVB Military Resort Commander, led the meeting.
During the meeting, Dogiyai Regent Petrus Agapa mentioned that at the time of the roadblock incident in Idakebo Village on July 13, 2023, the Dogiyai Regency Government was preoccupied with Vice President Ma’ruf Amin’s visit to Nabire, Central Papua Province. One of the purposes of the visit was to inaugurate the construction of the Central Papua Provincial Government Office.
Agapa expressed that the local government and Regional Apparatus Organizations had not received sufficient information regarding the sequence of events from either the police or the local community. He mentioned that several Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) and members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) had visited Idakebo Village to gather information about the blockade, the shooting of residents, and the subsequent rampage. However, they were hindered by residents who had blocked the road in front of the North Kamu District Office.
Agapa hoped that the meeting would serve as a platform for resolving the issue effectively and restoring smooth road access from Dogiyai to Deyai. (*)
