By: Rebecca Marian) *
A TNI soldier was killed in an attack by a number of mobs on the TNI – Polri apparatus in Deiyai, Papua. Police said the TNI member was in charge of guarding the weapons stored in the car.
National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said one TNI member was killed while guarding a vehicle, guarding weapons stored in the vehicle. Then injured and finally hacked with an arrow so it fell.
Tito also explained that three of its members and two other TNI members were pierced by arrows in the neck and back. Tito linked the attack to the existence of an armed criminal group (KKB) in Deiyai, Papua.
He said that members of the National Police tried to defend themselves by firing rubber bullets at the attackers. One of the attackers was shot in the leg. Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo, as Karo of the Public Relations Div of the Police of the Indonesian National Police, said there were 10 weapons that were seized by rioters.
The attack on the TNI – Polri that occurred in Deiyai, Papua occurred when the TNI – Polri Apparatus was escorting a peaceful demonstration in front of the local Regent’s office, they called for a referendum, the Deiyai Regent was required to sign an agreement. But suddenly there was a large mass of people who did mischief.
Initially at 13:00 CEST, around 100 people expressed their aspirations in front of the Deiyai Regent’s office in an orderly manner, initially the Joint Military-Polri apparatus was almost successful in persuading the masses. But when the negotiations took place around 14.00 CET, an additional mass of around 1,000 people came to join them, coming from various directions.
After that the new masses came to do the traditional Papuan war dance, namely the Waita dance and blindly attacked TNI – Polri members with sharp weapons and arrows. They also seized 10 weapons from a TNI car parked near the location.
Thousands of people are even known to carry sharp weapons and allegedly carrying firearms. This immediately led to gunfire between the authorities and the masses who used arrows.
Meanwhile, 2 residents who were killed in an attack on the TNI – Polri apparatus by a number of mobs in Deiyai, Papua, allegedly came from the attacking mass. Tito Karnavian said that the TNI – Polri had never used arrows. This arrow comes from behind, from the attacking group itself. So he suspected that he was killed by arrows from the attackers themselves.
He also explained that the distance of the arrow was 100 meters and if the bow was not drawn the maximum distance was around 50 meters. So that if the pull is less then it can hit his friend.
The incident caused two civilians to die. One resident suffered gunshot wounds in the kak, and one other person was hit by an arrow in the abdomen. They are known to have died at Enarotali Hospital.
In addition it is known that a member of the TNI was killed and four members of the National Police became victims in the action. One TNI member who died was Serda Rikson, who died in Deiyai while securing mass action. While 5 other officers suffered serious injuries due to arrows, the five injured members were rushed to Enarotali Hospital for medical treatment.
Alm Rikson’s body was later evacuated to Nabire by road trip. The plan is that the body of Serda Rikson will be flown to Jakarta. To strengthen security in the Deiyai region, Tito mobilized 300 of his personnel to the region and Paniai.
In addition to strengthening troops in the two regions, Tito also sent Brimob Corps troops to Jayapura. He regretted the mass attack on the TNI – Polri in Deiyai, and hoped that something similar would not happen in the future.
It also will process the mass law that carried out attacks against members of the TNI – Polri. Not only that, Tito also highlighted the event of the fluttering flag of the OPM Free Papua Organization in a demonstration in front of the State Palace yesterday.
The current condition, Kapendam XVII / Cenderawasih Lt. Col. Cpl Eko Daryanto said the situation in the Waghete District, Deiyai has gradually been conducive and the masses have dispersed since 16.00 CET. He along with the Regent of Deiyai and community leaders were gathered to overcome the problem.
) * The writer is a Papuan student, living in Jakarta