Nabire, Jubi – Anniversary of West Papua 1st December day of Independence Manifesto marked with arbitrary arrest in Nabire, Merauke, Salatiga and Ternate.
In Nabire Regency, Papua Province, police arrested three members of West Papua National Committee (KNPB) Nabire. They were arrested by Nabire Police Resort on Friday (December 1st) at 07:56 am Papua time.
Yohanes Kogopa, a member of KNPB told Jubi during a press conference at KNPB Nabire secretariat. He said the three KNPB members were Melcisedek Yeimo, Kris Mote, and Yulianus Boma.
“The Police came to our secretariat at around 7:00 am when I still asleep. I was very surprised,” he said on Friday (December 1st). He also said there were about four gun shots heard. “When I was awake and dribbled for the third shot, I ran to the back of the secretariat,” he said.
Several police personnel also smashed some part of the secretariat, which resulted of several broken glass, broken front doors, broken boards, and a blackboard hollowed out. “The three of our member were then forcibly arrested,” he said.
While arresting their members, their motorcycle was also taken by the police. “But it’s not our motorcycle, it’s owned by our neighbor,” he said.
Up until 17:15 PM when the press conference took place, the three are still detained in Nabire resort police.
Alex Pigai, one of Nabire’s KNPB administrators, added that KNPB demands their friends held in Porles Nabire to be released immediately.
“There are many incidents such as this, and the police are constantly intimidating us,” he said.
Another KNPB member, Anton Gobai, also said that the pattern of arrest is similar as happened few times. “This time, they (the police) were not only arrested our friends but also took bananas, cassava, ginger, and sugar cane that were ours. They took those to the police car,” he said.
When Jubi contacted the Nabire resort police to ask for confirmation and comment, there was no response until the news was released.
Arrested in Merauke
Earlier in Merauke, dozens of KNPB members and sympathizers were arrested by Merauke. A total of 20 people of KNPB supporters were arrested on Thursday (November 30) night. It is said that they plan to be discharged on Friday afternoon.
“The KNPB sympathizers were secured in one of the houses around Jalan Cikombong, Kamundu Village overnight at around 24.00 WIT,” said the Head of Merauke Police Station, Police Commissioner (Kompol) Marthen Koagouw, to Jubi on Friday (December 1st).
Marthen said they were held a discussion as well as planning an action of December 1st on Friday. He said the police did not know for sure what the discussion was about. When the police came, the discussion has stopped. “But obviously there is a plan to take action December 1,” said Marthen.
It is noted that in order to monitor the anniversary of December 1 in Papua, Merauke police held patrols in three places in 2017. They were also monitor KNPB activists and sympathizers activities. The three places are Jalan Bupul, Jalan Domba and Jalan Cokombong.
“We did not find people gathering and doing various activities,” he said.
Merauke Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner (AKB) Bahara Marpaung said the situation is safe and conducive. “Indeed a number of people were secured last night, because they gathered to talk about something. But we immediately secured and taken them the Merauke police station,” said Bahara.
After some inspection they will be returned, he said. “Last night they stayed at Merauke Resort Police Station. But today (December 1) they will be taken back to their homes by car,” he said.
Police took 30 students in Salatiga
Papua Student Alliance (AMP) activists in Salatiga City, Central Java, were also arrested by the police, just before dawn of the December 1 celebration.
“Initially we celebrated December 1st on November 30, 2017 at midnight, which is also the night entered December 1, 2017,” said Leadership Alliance of Papua Students of Semarang and Salatiga, Jackson Gwijangge, in a press release, Saturday (December 2).
He explained that the arrest occurred when Salatiga AMP activist wearing customary clothes and Morning star ornamental on his face made a pose with West Papua Independence Day’s Cake to celebrate the event. “The activity was recorded and uploaded with video photos to social media,” Jackson said.
Following the morning, December 1, 2017 at 02.00 pm they AMP held a worship celebrating the day of political manifesto of the people of Papua.
During the service, TNI and Police officers surrounded their dormitory and intimidated the students who were worshiping.
At that time the police officer asked Yance Murib, but not answered by students who were doing worship. “Then the police officer took us to police station for interrogation,” said Jackson.
It was said that police interrogated Tommy Meage, Magel Kobal and Yance Murib because they were the students’ negotiator to the police. However, they still at the police station until 5 pm with no news.
“There were 30 people in the Polres yard and the three negotiators were still being interrogated in the room related to photos, video clips with Morning Star ornament updated through social media,” he said.
The 1st December has been a historical moment for West Papuan to be celebrated. It was on 1st December 1961 the independence political manifesto and morning star flag first being raised. Indonesia government are oppsed any celebration of that historical moment, and morning star flag are banned.(tabloidjubi.com/Zely)
