Jayapura, 17/2 (Jubi/MS) – A resident of Bade Kampung, Edera Sub-district, Mappi Regency, Papua, Blasius Sumaghai (23 years old) was allegedly beaten up by Indonesian Navy officers, a report said.
Majalahselangkah.com, reported that as a result of the attack on January 26, Blasius was unable to walk for four days and suffered serious trauma. Blasius was sitting in front of a kiosk at Jl. Dumuyu RT VI Bade Kampung when suddenly two marine officers from Bade Station came and hit his back and chest with their rifle butt, the report said.
He was then taken to the Navy station by motorcycle and there he was hit again rifle butt, the website said. His was also attacked with a water hose, resulting in some serious injuries. The report said he was not the only victim of marine officers.
Yustinus Akabagaimu, 27, son of teacher Xaverius Akabagaimu was attacked earlier for no apparent reason, causing him not to be able to walk.
Many victims are afraid to report cases of violence or did not who they should report to.
A source said attacks on Bade’s men by marine officers occurred after some residents complained of the youths’ alleged bad behavior.
“But there are the police. Are they just bunches of flowers? Their task is to guard the security while marines have a duty to guard the country during a war. How can the Marines take over the Police’s tasks in front of them? It’s weird,” the source said.
Police who were on duty at the Bade Police Station is said could not help to guard that village. On 2009 Christmas, Stefanus Silooy, 38, a local youngster was killed by three police officers. The incident triggered the destruction of a local police station by residents.
The Navy station at Bade Village is actually not strategic as the village is located in the riverbank instead of the seashore that should be guarded by the Water Police Unit. The reason why they build their station there is to collect levies from the Plywood and Palm oil company PT Korindo Group in Assikihas been operating since 1990 and PT Mam recently opened near Bade village.
Bade is a very strategic port city, because all of Plywood and CPO from PT Korindo in Assiki is transported only through Digoel River where Bade is becoming an entrance and exit door. (PD/KB/MS/rom)
