By: Alfred Jigibalom )*
The community supports the efforts to crush the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST). With law enforcement against these gangs, Papua’s stability and security can be maintained.
The effort to crush the Separatist Terrorist Group in Papua apparently takes a lot of time. This was stated by the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General TNI Andika Perkasa, that the process of crushing KST in Papua will take place in the long term. He explained that one of the effects of the long-term KST crackdown operation was the control of the dominant terrain by the KKB groups.
In his opportunity after reviewing the Madago Raya Task Force skotis post in Poso, Andika said that our position is the same as in Central Sulawesi through the unit operation pattern, which normally is law enforcement operations, in collaboration with the National Police and other agencies.
Andika said that the involvement of the TNI in the KST crackdown operation was devoted to security and was quite limited in nature. So according to him, the TNI really acts by paying attention to operational signs so as not to cause new problems.
His party maintains the operating pattern in accordance with existing signs, to ensure that there are no new problems or even bigger problems. There are two striking similarities between the special operations against the eastern Indonesian mujahidin (MIT) in Poso and the special operations in Papua, namely the terrain that is fairly difficult. The variables are quite numerous and the challenges are different, in Papua and Poso only the field of operation is difficult.
Previously, a KST member with the initials LM was successfully arrested by joint forces in Ilaga District, Puncak Regency. Inspector General Mathius D Fakhri (Kapolda Papua) said LM was arrested shortly after trying to shoot security officers who were on guard at a stone burning event in Ilaga district, Puncak regency.
Fakhiri explained that at that time there was a stone burning event at Ilaga. Then there was the perpetrator who came and cocked his gun not far from the officers who were on guard, hearing the cock of the gun, the officers immediately fled.
After saving himself, the member reported to his comrades. Not long after, the perpetrator who tried to escape was arrested along with a short-barreled firearm. Currently, LM has been successfully secured at the Puncak Police Headquarters for questioning.
Fakhiri also asked the security forces on duty in conflict areas to always be vigilant. Don’t be careless for a second, because KST is always looking for opportunities to cause trouble.
One of the disturbances that KST had caused was the burning of a SMA Negeri 1 teacher’s housing in Wako Village, Ilaga District, Puncak Regency, Papua, but there were no casualties. The Head of Public Relations of the Papuan Police, Kombes Police, Ahmad Musthofa Kamal, confirmed the burning of the teacher’s housing in Wako Village. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in the incident.
The existence of KST in Papua with all its cruel actions so far must have caused endless fear for local residents. It is not wrong if Papuans are inflamed and express their jealousy towards their fellow countrymen and countrymen in other regions who are allowed to enjoy the dynamics of normal life without being afraid of a sudden attack from KST.
The burning of schools and health centers, shootings of civilians and officers are the actions of KST that cannot be tolerated. After all, people in Papua and West Papua have the right to a safe and comfortable atmosphere while in Papua.
If all this time KST has stated that it is fighting to free Papua from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, this action has in fact only made people afraid, in fact civilians have become victims of violence and shootings.
KST often hides behind human rights when the apparatus carries out their duties, but in reality KST also has weapons that are often used to threaten innocent Papuan people.
The existence of KST is like a parasite that destroys the sense of unity that has been formed. They are constantly campaigning for independence, which turns out to be only used by the interests of a few people. Therefore, firm action against KST is appropriate and indeed needs to be done.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bali
