By: Edward Wanggai)*
The Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) has again spread terror ahead of the OPM Anniversary on December 1st. The public immediately condemned KST’s actions for committing human rights violations and supporting the TNI/Polri to take firm action against these gangs.
Papua is the easternmost region in Indonesia which recently hosted the XX PON. It is also famous for its natural exoticism, and foreign tourists love to visit Raja Ampat and want to conquer the snowy peaks of Jayawijaya.
However, Papua’s good image has been tarnished by KST’s actions. This mob has repeatedly wreaked havoc on Earth of Paradise. Finally, on November 2, 2021, there was a fire in a residential area, precisely in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya. Of course the culprit is a member of KST.
The Head of Information for the Joint Defense Region III Command, Colonel Czi IGN Suriastawa, stated that previously there was information that KST members would come on November 2 afternoon, and then wanted to burn down the DPRD building. However, thanks to the alertness of the authorities, it was prevented. However, they came again in the afternoon and set fire to the houses of residents around the DPRD building, to be precise in Kampung Mamba Bawah.
This information is supplemented by additional information from Dominikus Sani, a native of Intan Jaya, Papua who is currently studying in East Java. According to Dominus, there was also an attack on 27 October 2021 and 2 toddlers named Nopelianus and Bortinus Sondegau died.
Dominus continued, KST also burned office buildings, not only residents’ houses. The shootout between their members and members of the TNI-Polri is still going on but the situation is not yet conducive. He also does not have any new information because in the Intan Jaya area, the signal is difficult, so none of his family members can be informants.
When there is an attack that ends in gunfire and arson, of course, the civilians are the losers. The public immediately condemned this action because KST always riots and harms other people, deliberately burning down people’s houses. How much material loss do they have to bear? Especially when there are casualties, the family will be sad for a long time.
The Papuan people have been antipathy to KST because this is not the first time they have attacked. They had thrown a tantrum many times, and the victims were quite a lot. Starting from students, teachers, to health workers, all died as a result of attacks from KST members.
Therefore, the community supports the arrest of KST members, because they always disturb the residents. They are even desperate to take the lives of their own brothers and sisters, so that they have crossed the line and violated human rights. If you really want to be independent, why should you harm others?
There is no community that supports the KST action because they are a criminal and terrorist organization, and often commit crimes. If there is still KST entrenched in Papua, then peace has not yet been realized.
Officials are also increasing their vigilance and patrolling, especially in vulnerable areas in Papua, such as Intan Jaya and Yahukimo. They carried out raids and prevented the riots from happening again.
In addition, the Nemangkawi Task Force is also increasingly diligent in attacking and arresting KST members.
This time KST has crossed the line, by burning in public facilities and residents’ homes. They also had the heart to shoot 2 toddlers who didn’t know anything. The auto community condemned KST’s actions which violated human rights and undermined peace in Papua. They deserve to be severely punished and continue to be pursued by the authorities.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Aceh
