Source of picture : INEWS
The criminal separatist group provoked and took part in a protest conducted by high school students in Wamena City on Monday, 23 September 2019, which turned into anarchic actions.
The anarchic actions started with a clash between Yapis (Islamic education foundation) High School and PGRI (Teachers Association of the Republic of Indonesia) High School, because Yapis’ students rejected to join anti-racist protest. The protest was related to allegation of a racist comment made by a teacher at PGRI High School. This situation was used by individuals to carry out mass mobilization and anarchic actions by burning and throwing stones.
The protesters set fire on houses, government offices, state electric company PLN and several stores owned by migrants from other part of Indonesia. The situation also caused Wamena Airport to stop its operation. The protest was triggered by allegation that a teacher in PGRI High School in Wamena made a racist comment to a student. The unchecked allegation was circulated through social media by certain individuals. On the other hand, the fact that led to the allegation clearly shows that there was no racist comment made by the teacher. The Indonesian police currently investigating the makers and disseminators of the false information (hoax) content that led into anarchic protest.
In response to the protest, the indonesian police supported by TNI personnel work hand in hand with local government to calm the protesters and control the situation. However, the protesters continued its anarchic actions including burning stores and houses owned by migrants from other part of Indonesia.
The Cenderawasih Military Command stated that the anarchic protest in Wamena caused 67 people injured (33 indigenous Papuan and 34 migrants from other part of Indonesia) and 24 dead (5 indigenous Papuan and 19 migrants).
“There were 16 people who died as a result of burns and 8 others were killed by sharp weapons injuries,” said Head of Information Unit of the Cenderawasih Military Command, Lt. Col. Eko Daryanto. The majority of the victims who were burned were residents who could not save themselves because they were trapped in a building that was burned by the protesters. Some of the injured victims was then evacuated using a Hercules plane to hospital in Jayapura to get proper care and treatment. While the other victims were still being handled by the Wamena Regional Hospital.
The situation in Wamena is under control, the police supported by TNI personnel are working with local government to ensure safety and stability for the people.
According to the Head of Papua Police Public Relations Commissioner Ahmad Mustofa Kamal, the protesters was infiltrated by armed criminal groups (KKB) which triggered anarchic actions and attacking security forces that was patrolling to secure the situation. The group intentionally infiltrated the protesters with the aim of giving a bad impression about Papua so that the Papua case received attention in the UN session.
Tell the Truths deeply regrets the occurrence of the protest that turned into anarchic actions. Criminal separatist groups always tried to take advantage of every opportunity available to create situation to give impression that situation in Papua is bad and unsafe. The Indonesian government is expected to firmly resolve the situation in accordance with the law and regulations. The perpetrators should alao be charged and punished accordingly in order to maintain law and order for the sake of stability and safety of the people.
