Riots broke out in Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, following the shooting of three residents by Indonesia’s military forces. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) denied the claims by the military that the three were part of their forces, while residents pushed for an investigation into the shooting.
A group of people in Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua, demanded accountability from the leadership of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command (Kodam) for the alleged murder committed by military officers against three indigenous Papuans in Karubate Village, Muara District.
Military authorities accused the three men of being members of Papua’s pro-independence militia. But a traditional leader in the district, Otis Murib, denied the army’s claims. He said the three people who died at the hands of the officers were civilians, not part of the TPNPB-OPM.
“So if you can withdraw the speech from the Pangdam [Cenderawasih]. We ask the fact-finding team to come down here so that they know. If necessary, people from outside can also come and pick it up here,” Otis Murib said.
TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, stated that the three men who died were not part of his group. He said that TPNPB-OPM was also not involved in the shooting action until the riot that occurred in Puncak Jaya this week.
The shooting triggered riots in Mulia District, the capital of Puncak Jaya, Wednesday (17/07).
The day before the riots in Mulia, the Cendrawasih Military Command distributed written statements to the press and through social media. They made a claim that three people with the initials SW, YW and DW who were shot dead by military officers on July 16 were members of the TPNPB led by Teranus Enumbi.
The three people are not members of OPM
Laison Gire, one of the relatives of the residents who were shot dead by military officers, said that at around eight o’clock in the night, Tuesday (16/07), TNI troops conducted a sweep in Karubate Village, Puncak Jaya.
“We are very disappointed with these [shootings],” said Tekiles Wonda, Mulia District Head.
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‘The Pangdam must be responsible’ and form a fact-finding team
TPNPB-OPM Spokesperson Sebby Sambom denied that his members were killed in law enforcement actions by the TNI. According to him, citing communication with Terinus Enumbi, the three indigenous Papuans who died were civilians.
“Tonda Wanimbo as the Head of Kalome Village, Mepogolok District, died due to a gunshot wound. The same thing also happened to the Murib Government as the Head of Dokkome Village and Dominus Enumbi, a civilian who has completed his studies in Jayapura,” said Sebby.
Sebby explained, at eight o’clock in the evening, Terianus entered Kota Mulia to buy cigarettes.
“While in Muara District right in Karubate, Terinus was known by the military coalition, namely Task Force 753, Kopassus from the Maleo and Eagle Teams, who immediately pursued Terinus using three military cars,” he said.
Sebby added, while in front of the Mulia District YPPG Elementary School, the military officers immediately fired at Terinus Enumbi from a distance of 50 meters, but the bullet did not hit Terinus and he fled.
“Meanwhile, the shooting carried out by the Indonesia military coalition has resulted in three civilians dying at the scene, around eight o’clock in the evening,” said Sebby.
Leading to riots in Puncak Jaya
The riots began when the three bodies who were shot dead were taken to the Mulia Regional General Hospital (RSUD), Mulia District, Wednesday (17/07).
The crowd then came to the hospital to demand compensation and explained that the three people who were shot were not members of the OPM.
Otis Murib said the riots that occurred between local communities and immigrants were caused by the actions of the TNI who killed its citizens.
“What makes this act is caused by the TNI, finally we are a people in conflict,” he said.
Laison Giri, a relative of one of the residents who died, said the riots were triggered by dissatisfaction with the TNI‘s response to the shooting action. “The action taken by the community yesterday was not planned,” he said.