By: Rebecca Marian) *
Racial riots due to racial hoaks broke out again in Wamena on Monday (09/23). Security forces act quickly to reduce tension. Now the situation has gradually recovered as before.
After the tense atmosphere last Monday in Wamena, the situation is now conducive. The anarchist-led demonstration was characterized by racialism issues. Which is done by an individual teacher to students. But it turns out that the issue is merely a hoax. Elementary and Middle Schools were also repatriated so as not to get caught up in the demonstration atmosphere. The TNI and Polri have checked the truth at the school of alleged racial action. And there were no results like those that were widely reported.
Earlier, mass protesters set fire to a number of public facilities such as the Jayawijaya Regent’s office in Wamena, Papua on Monday morning. The community chose to evacuate at various points. Despite the complicated atmosphere, the security forces stand by for 24 hours. All forms of vital objects are also closely guarded. At Jayawijaya Regional Police Station, at least 3,000 people were displaced. While in the 1702 Kodim region there are around 1,500 people. Residents chose to evacuate, for fear that a mass action would occur.
Reportedly, after the riots, around 100 residents took refuge in the house of a police officer. One resident explained the reason he had fled because his house was the target of arson. However, residents in the evacuation seem to have lacked food ingredients because many shops were closed. The police are also short of supplies needed for refugees.
It is hoped that the government or the private sector will immediately reduce aid. Not only food stock, about clothing they also need. Considering they only bring clothes worn at that time. There is also a story of one of the refugees who did not know the condition of his house after being left to evacuation. The mob not only burned public access, but also several residents’ homes were also targeted by tantrums.
As a precaution, TNI members made a field kitchen with food materials available to residents. At the Kodim itself, residents are placed in the tennis court area as their location. Platoon tents installed, but still using their respective sleeping mats.
Meanwhile, Jhon Richard Banua, as the Regent of Jayawijaya gave a statement regarding the riots. He considered if this action was an anarchist action. Because throwing also burning accompanied this incident. Jhon appealed to the public not to be provoked and provoked by the hoax news. He also asked to work together to maintain security, so that Wamena’s situation would recover as before.
On the other hand, the government has again restricted internet access. Quoted from Ferdinandus Setu as Acting Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Communication and Information, said in his press release that internet restrictions were carried out to speed up the process of restoring security and order conditions in Wamena Regency. This internet access restriction is carried out after coordination with law enforcement officials and related agencies. And will be opened when Wamena’s condition is considered stable.
Despite these restrictions, the public can still communicate using voice services and short messages or SMS. The government also appealed for all parties to be able to exercise restraint. Do not go along with spreading hoax information, hate speech based on SARA, incitement or any provocation, especially on social media. This was considered as a form of efforts to re-condition the Wamena area as before.
Actions of this kind can certainly be avoided if no one “intentionally” ignites anger. Considering similar issues have occurred and made many parties lose money. Previously what had happened in West Papua and Papua was also due to issues of unknown truth. The sadness of this action was accompanied by anarchist action from the mass protesters. Causing fear of local residents to have to evacuate to a safer place.
Learning from previous experience, all elements of society should be able to hold back. Neither provoked nor provoked to take part in this anarchist action. Besides the influence of social media seems to also dominate, the spread of issues that are hoax is quite successful in generating opinions in order to raise solidarity. However, in reality this solidarity ended in chaos and was detrimental to many parties. Is this called solidarity? Or which part of solidarity is it fighting for? We hope that Wamena will be 100 percent conducive soon, and the security forces and citizens will not get bored building and creating security for the common good.