By: Janet Theresia )*
The arrest of a member of the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) deserves appreciation because he has been on the wanted list for years. With this arrest, it is hoped that more information will be revealed about KST and its headquarters, so that they can be arrested quickly.
KST (separatist and terrorist groups) are like a thorn in the flesh because they interfere with Indonesia’s sovereignty in Papua by inviting people to defect. KST’s attitude has not changed since decades ago, even though under international law, Papua is an official part of Indonesia. They channel their anger by disturbing civilians so that security in the Earth of Cendrawasih area is getting tighter.
The Cartenz Damai Joint Police Team managed to arrest Enos Tipagau, a KST member who has long been on the wanted list (DPO). He was arrested in Timika without a firearm, because he was ‘going down the mountain’ to reload ammunition. The arrest of Enos was an achievement because he was proven to be a suspect in several cases.
First, Enos was involved in the attack on the group of the Deputy Chief of the Papua Police, Brigadier General Mathius Fakhiri in Intan Jaya, in 2020. Second, he was also involved in the attack on the Sugapa Police in 2020, the attack on the Intan Jaya Koramil in February 2021. He is also suspected of being the shooter for oilmen and motorcycle taxi drivers in Intan Jaya.
The reasons for the shootings carried out by Enos and other KST members are always the same: they suspect the community of being spies by the security forces. In fact, only ordinary civilians were shot. KST was already paranoid and overly suspicious that he had the heart to kill his own tribal brother. Therefore, Papuans themselves do not sympathize with KST.
Therefore, the community is very grateful for the arrest of Enos because they are no longer facing high-class killers and criminals. Although there are still other KST members, it is safer because it is Enos who is often plotted as a sniper. The public also appreciated the agility of the members of the joint Polri team because they quickly ambushed KST members.
Appreciation should also be given to the Damai Cartenz operations team because they worked very well and during an ambush did not make the situation tense because they eliminated gunfire. The operation is completely peaceful, as the title suggests.
The Cartenz Peace Operation was plotted to replace the Nemangkawi operation which had been going on for several years. This replacement refers to the word ‘peace’ because the government has changed the strategy for handling KST in Papua to a welfare approach and heart-to-heart discussions. It is hoped that with this peaceful operation and approach, more KST members will surrender without being forced.
The arrest of KST members is not only to protect the community from their atrocities, but also as an effort to prevent terror, because in West Papua the W20 Summit will be held. This event is of an international standard, so the safety factor must be carefully considered. All forms of preventing terror and attacks from KST and other parties must be carried out by security forces.
When Enos is caught it is very good because he can be an informant, for example, how many KST members are left? Where is their real headquarters? The reason for this is because the Nemangkawi operation last year did manage to find the KST headquarters but it turns out that there are many and moving bases, so Enos’ information is very valuable.
The arrest of KST members must be appreciated because the joint team of the Police and the TNI is really serious about securing Papuan civilians from disturbances by terrorist groups and the OPM (Free Papua Organization). With this arrest, it is hoped that the eradication of KST will be accelerated and the Cartenz Peace operation will be 100% successful.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bandung
