The struggle and hard work of leaders are for the succeeding generation. If the chain of violence in Papua can be ended, the bright future of the youths can hopefully be realized.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
MARINA EKATARI
The attack by an armed criminal group led by Egianus Kogoya occurred in Nogolait Village, Kenyam District, Nduga Regency, Papua, Saturday (16/7/2022) at around 09.00 WIT. Of the 12 civilians who became victims, 10 people died and two others were in critical condition.
An armed criminal group (KKB) attacked Nogolait village, Kenyam district, Nduga regency, West Papua, on Saturday (16/7/2022). Ten civilians died.
The attack was believed to have been launched by the KKB under Egianus Kogoya. Two more residents are now in a critical condition. The incident was part of the chain of violence that has continued to occur in Papua and West Papua. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) describes the deed of the perpetrators as an extraordinary crime. Amnesty International Indonesia has urged a thorough investigation of the tragedy (Kompas, 17/7/2022).
Based on data in the information center of Kompas, it is recorded in this daily that the violence in Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, has been going on since 1968. Two members of the Navy Command Corps (KKO), now the Navy Marines Corps, were killed in an assault in Manokwari (Kompas, 24/4/1968). In 2022, from 1 January to 16 July, there were at least 45 cases of KKB attacks. Other than in Nduga Regency, the attacks also took place in nine other regencies.
“This must not be tolerated,” said executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, on Saturday (16/7) in Jakarta. The state, through its apparatus, should enforce the law in Papua, by clearly revealing the perpetrators of violence against civilians thus far. If the KKB regards its movement as part of the war to gain freedom, it should not have attacked residents. Moreover, Papua and West Papua Barat are not war zones.
Various efforts have been made by different parties, especially the government and Papuan figures, to settle the root of the problem and terminate the chain of violence in Papua, from dialogues and the granting of special autonomy to military operation. Even in the international forum, the issue of Papua has drawn attention and various circles are interested in resolving the issue. However, the violence has not ceased yet.
In their latest efforts, the government and the House have split provinces in Papua by forming three new provinces, and more will later be added. It is hoped that with more provinces on the vastest island in the Indonesian archipelago, the span of government control and the efforts to realize people’s welfare will be facilitated. Yet for part of the population of Papua, the effort is seen as an attempt to divide civilians and weaken the freedom movement. In fact, for whomsoever it may be, what should be considered and prioritized in Papua is its residents’ peace and prosperity.
A Kompas survey of Papua has found 65.2 percent of youths in the region satisfied or very satisfied with the performance of the central government in developing the region (Kompas, 3/6/2022). The greatest satisfaction was recorded concerning social-cultural, education and health sectors. Young people are owners of this country at present and in the future. The struggle and hard work of leaders are for the succeeding generation. If the chain of violence in Papua can be ended, the bright future of the youths can hopefully be realized. They can live more prosperously.
