Nine members of the armed group under Lekagak were shot during the gun battle with security forces in Makki village.
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FABIO COSTA/Nobertus Arya Dwiangga Martiar
·4 minutes read
BIDANG HUMAS POLDA PAPUA
The joint Police and TNI Law Enforcement Task Force team found 381 rounds of ammunition at the Kali Kopi Armed Criminal Group (KKB) Headquarters, Mimika Regency, Papua, Sunday (16/8/2020).
NABIRE, KOMPAS - A joint task force of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police has ramped up operations in the past two days to restrict the movement of the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Lekagak Telenggen in Puncak regency, Papua. The group’s hideouts in several locations have been besieged.
"We and the TNI have blockaded the Sugapa area, the capital city of Intan Jaya, and two districts in Puncak, namely Beoga and Ilaga. We will stop their actions,” Papua Police chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri said when contacted from Nabire on Wednesday (28/4/2021).
In the last three weeks, the insurgent group has launched attacks five times in Puncak regency, killing Papua Intelligence Agency head Major General I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya, a member of the police’s mobile brigade (Brimob), I Komang Wiranata, and four civilians.
Komang, who was part of the Nemangkawi task force, was killed during a shootout with the insurgent group on Tuesday (27/4), in Makki Village, Puncak regency, at around 8 am Eastern Indonesia Time. Two other police members -- Second Inspector (Ipda) Anton Tonapa and Second Brigadier (Bripda) Willy suffered gunshot wounds.
KKB victims are not only members of the TNI and police, but also civilians, such as teachers, pastors, motorcycle taxi drivers and school children.
National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo expressed condolences over the loss of Komang and awarded him an honorary posthumous rank title promotion. Anton and Willy, who are currently undergoing treatment for their wounds, will also be promoted and given priority for structural career-related education.
"KKB victims are not only members of the TNI and police, but also civilians, such as teachers, pastors, motorcycle taxi drivers and school children. School dormitories have been damaged, as well as the community’s houses. Therefore, I instruct all members of the task force on duty to continue chasing the KKB in Papua. Keep on fighting. The state must not be defeated,” the police chief said.
HUMAS POLRES MIMIKA
The body of Bharatu Posthumous Komang Wiranata at Moses Kilangin Timika Airport before being flown to a relative\'s house in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (28/4/2021). Komang died in a firefight with an armed criminal group in Makki Village, Puncak Regency, Papua, Tuesday (27/4/2021).
Meanwhile, Mathius Fakhiri said he had reminded his members in Puncak to keep on alert. "There is still no information about Puncak residents evacuating themselves because of fear," he said.
Nine members of the armed group under Lekagak were shot during the gun battle with security forces in Makki village, according to Papua Police Public Relations Division head Sr. Comr. Ahmad Musthofa Kamal.
"For the time being, the identities of the nine KKB members who were shot are not yet known. Our members are still chasing them in a number of locations,” he said.
Based on Kompas records and data at the Papua Police, the insurgent group has carried out 17 attacks from January to April 27, killing six civilians and injuring another four.
Security approach
Papuans need peace provided by the authorities who side with them.
Regional Representative Council (DPD) Commission II chair Yorrys Raweyai is of the opinion that the recent insurgencies in Papua are the result of various problems that have accumulated for a long time.
The special autonomy policy for Papua is perceived to be stagnant and losing its specificity, which has resulted in disappointment among the community.
“Since the insurgences flared up in Papua, there has never been a uniformity in vision and mission that would usher in more elegant, humane and comprehensive approaches in responding to the Papuan issue. Security reinforcements are continuing to arrive and violence keeps repeating," Yorrys said.
He added that a security approach would never solve the problems in Papua because the province was not a military emergency area.
“Papuans need peace provided by the authorities who side with them. It is not a power that takes them as a problem-causing object deserving to be eradicated and crushed," he said.
He called for a dialog with various parties sitting together in an equal manner.
