Jayapura, Jubi TV– The Papuan office of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM Papua) has formed a team to investigate the alleged arson in Dogiyai Regency last Monday, May 22, 2022.
Head of Komnas HAM Papua Frits Ramandey said his party conducted field monitoring and investigations on May 27.
Komnas HAM Papua recorded at least 17 buildings were suspected of being burned, including the Secretariat of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), people’s houses, and some kiosks.
“We found a number of motorcycles and other materials such as grocery items being burned,” said Frits Ramandey to Jubi on Sunday evening, May 29.
“We also found a ripped off tin roof used as a fence, allegedly used as an entrance to carry out arson,” he said.
Referring to the results of the investigation and several testimonies of residents, Ramandey said, his party suspected the event was indeed arson. The alleged perpetrator could be an individual or a group of people.
“We found a pattern of burning that was almost the same as the two previous arson acts in 2019. Moreover, two Indonesian Military (TNI) members were hit by arrows during the event,” he said.
Komnas HAM Papua also urged the Dogiyai Police and Papua Police to follow up the case with further investigation and determine and arrest the perpetrators.
The commission also asked the regent and deputy regent of Dogiyai to coordinate with the Regional Leader Communication Forum, the church, the traditional council, and tribal chiefs in handling and restoring the situation in Dogiyai following the alleged arson.
“We call on the Dogiyai Administration to help rebuild the community-owned business and restore economic activity in the area, as a number of kiosks there were burned,” Ramanday added.
Meanwhile, Dogiyai Police Chief Comr. Samuel D Tatiratu said that the police were still investigating the case. He emphasized that there had been no naming of suspects or wanted list (DPO). He added that the DPO status against the Chairman of KNPB Dogiyai recently circulating on social media was a hoax.
“Until now, we are still investigating the case to reveal the perpetrators behind this incident,” said Tatiratu on Sunday.
He asked the residents of Dogiyai not to be influenced by the various rumors to maintain the security situation in the area. (*)
