By: Devaryo Valarie )*
The Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) is an armed criminal gang that does not reflect the Papuan people at all. The existence of KST Papua is very disturbing, because it often commits atrocities beyond humanitarian limits, even massacring Papuan civilians. Eradicating KST is a mandatory agenda, so that the Papuan people can live safely and peacefully.
KST Papua carried out the cruel murder of Papuan humanitarian activist, Michelle Kurisi Doga, in Kolowa District, Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Mountains, on August 28 2023.
Responding to this, Danrem 172/PWY Brigadier General TNI Dedi Hardono said that this incident added to a long line of KST’s barbaric and arbitrary actions against civil society in Papua. Throughout 2022 to 2023, it was recorded that many civilians had become victims of KST’s barbarity. These include drivers, motorbike taxi drivers, traders, teachers, health workers and construction workers, who were cruelly murdered on the pretext of being TNI intelligence officers.
Danrem also firmly stated that Michelle was not a TNI intelligence officer. Because the TNI does not use Indigenous Papuans (OAP) or immigrants as intelligence. Michelle Kurisi is a humanitarian activist who has been struggling to help Papuan people in refugee camps from fear due to security disturbances and intimidation from KST Kodap III Nduga.
Apart from that, KST Papua disturbed peace in the Land of Papua by shooting seven gold miners to death at the Ei River, Mosom Duba Village, Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, on October 16 2023.
After this tragic incident, the Papua Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhri, ordered the Cartenz Peace Task Force to act firmly against the perpetrators. Yotam Bugiangge, known as the main actor in the massacre, was a former member of Infantry Battalion 756/Wimane Sili (Yonif 756/MWS) and had been fired.
Five health workers (Nakes) were also abused by KST in the Amuma District, Papua Mountains, on October 31 2023. The five health workers from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) were on duty in Amuma, Yahukimo to check on people who were allegedly experiencing hunger. The Papuan KST thought that the health workers they arrested were intelligence members who had deliberately entered Amuma.
Chair of the Cartenz Peace Operations Public Relations Task Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AKBP) Bayu Suseno, said that his party was currently investigating the acts of violence committed against health workers and was strongly committed to taking very firm action.
A number of acts of atrocities against civilians add to KST Papua’s track record of actions that are very contrary to law and human rights. KST Papua has created a sense of insecurity that threatens the daily lives of citizens, as well as claiming many innocent lives in their brutal actions.
Chairman of the Melanesian Youth Diplomacy Forum, Steve Mara, said that in recent times there has been an escalation of conflict in the mountainous areas of Papua, especially violence committed by KST Papua against civilians in Puncak Jaya and also against health workers which occurred yesterday in Yahukimo. This is a very disgraceful act.
KST actions like this must be firmly eradicated by security forces. KST Papua must also stop carrying out acts of violence or terror and surrender to the relevant parties. Because, the KST action is very detrimental to the Papuan people and the impact will definitely be big in the future.
The Papuan people have the right to safety, peace and prosperity which is always disturbed by KST Papua. Therefore, collaborative efforts between the central government, regional governments, security forces and the Papuan people themselves are very necessary to deal firmly with the KST Papua problem. If the public finds out information related to the whereabouts of KST Papua, it is hoped that they can inform the relevant parties so that they can immediately arrest him. Protection of civilians and fair law enforcement must be a top priority in order to reduce the anxiety of the Papuan people from KST interference.
Don’t let KST Papua continue to rampantly carry out acts of terror and violence against civilians in Bumi Cenderawasih which is detrimental to many parties. Because their actions will only worsen the situation and complicate efforts for sustainable development and peace in the Papua region.
)* The author is a student from Papua in Surabaya
