Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Police said the presence of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) remained a frightening threat to residents, especially non-Papuan communities. “It is still a prominent case in Papua, which needs to be the concern of all parties,” said Papua Police chief inspector Gen. Mathius Fakhiri in Jayapura City on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
Fakhiri said that throughout 2022, there were at least 90 acts of violence allegedly committed by the TPNPB. The figure is less than the number of cases in 2021, which was 106.
“This year there were 90 cases that occurred in Yahukimo Regency, Intan Jaya Regency, Puncak Regency, Puncak Jaya Regency, Nduga Regency, Bintang Mountains Regency, Yalimo Regency, Jayawijaya Regency, and Yapen Islands Regency,” Fakhiri said.
According to Fakhiri, the various acts of violence took casualties on the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police and civilians. Throughout 2022, ten TNI soldiers died allegedly due to TPNPB violence, and 14 other TNI soldiers were injured. In the same period, four police officers died allegedly due to TPNPB violence, while three others were injured.
Fakhiri said the number of civilians who died in various acts of violence was even higher. As many as 39 people died due to the violence, and ten people were injured. “While the victims from the TPNPB were five people,” he said.
Fakhiri asked the local government, especially the regents, the Regional Government Work Unit, and the Regional People’s Council to lead and be an example for the communities to involve in activities with the police. “The Papua Police optimize the efforts of a more humanist approach, which is expected to answer various problems that have often been a trigger for security disturbances in the community,” he said. (*)
