By : Timothy Gobay )*
The Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) continues to spread terror to all parties, including attacking the security forces and civilians. This cruel action received criticism from the public and hoped that there would be firm action against KST.
Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, witnessed an exchange of fire between the TNI and the Terrorist Separatist Group (KST). This incident certainly added to the list of tensions in Papua thanks to KST’s brutal actions.
As a result of the shootout, a TNI member named Sertu Robertus Simbolon from the YPR 305/Tengkorak Task Force reportedly died. Kapendam XVII / Cenderawasih Cavalry Colonel Herman Taryaman said the shootout occurred around 16.00 WIT. Due to this incident, the apparatus continues to be on alert to anticipate attacks from KST.
Meanwhile Sebby Sambom as the spokesperson for OPM claimed that it was his party who shot a TNI member to death in Sugapa, Intan Jaya.
In recent weeks the situation in Papua has continued to heat up. To this day the TNI and Polri have not succeeded in freeing Pilot Susi Air who has been held hostage by KB since mid-February 2023.
However, the TNI Commander, Admiral Yudo Margono, stated that his party was reluctant to deploy TNI forces to free Susi Air Pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens. Yudo claims that he will try to free Pilot Philip in persuasive ways through community leaders and religious leaders.
Previously, terror by KST also threatened security in the mountainous region of Papua. Apart from Yakuhimo Puncak and Nduga Regencies, the KKB also opened fire on planes at Bilogai Airport, Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency.
The shooting took place when the plane was about to land at Bilogai Airport. As a result of this incident, flight activities and airport operations were suspended for one day for security reasons.
Intan Jaya Police Chief AKBP Afrizal Asri said the shooting position was far enough from the airport so that the action did not hit the fuselage.
The acts of terror carried out by KST Papua certainly did not happen once, there were many sporadic acts that worried the people of Papua, such as burning public facilities and shootings which were carried out in a vicious manner.
Papua is a demographically complex region, so solving problems with KST is not an easy thing to do. KST often uses its power to tear harmonization in Papua, with the aim of building an atmosphere of hatred and hostility between the nation’s children.
The TNI-Polri apparatus and the people of Papua should have united to fight against the separatist actions carried out by KST. KST has been proven to spread terror, instead of fighting for a referendum, they often spread slander to hide behind the word human rights in order to get sympathy from other countries.
The shootings that have been carried out by KST are proof that terrorist groups in Papua are still showing their existence. Those who claim to be fighters for Papuan independence in fact often leave wounds to their fellow Papuans.
Development in Papua can of course be hampered if the area becomes a KST nest for planning and spreading threats and terror. Naturally, then civilians in Papua would support the arrest of KST members. This is because the people are tired of the various acts of the KST which often spread terror.
KST is like a parasite that undermines the happiness and peace of the Papuan people. Their actions have been proven to damage public facilities and hinder the development that is being intensified by the government.
The barbaric actions carried out by terrorist groups in Papua have damaged the beauty of Papua. The beautiful Papua has become damaged because of KST, who loves to cause trouble.
On the previous occasion, Yorrys Raweyai as a member of the DPD RI from Papua asked the government to eradicate KST from its roots. In a sense, KST must be muzzled because it is considered detrimental to the people of Papua to the point where they are threatened, of course the presence of constant terror can damage the mentality of the people.
The attack from KST will force the market to deactivate buying and selling activities, this is of course very detrimental to the community, because many Papuans will lose their income.
On the other hand, the Papuan people must not fall for propaganda or hoaxes from members of the KST which are carried out to win the sympathy of the Papuan people. Firm action by the authorities is a form of protection for Papua, not a violation of human rights or an attempt to militarize Papua.
Moreover, groups that often hide behind the name of human rights have actually been proven to have committed human rights violations. The reason is that they actually carried out an attack in the form of shooting at joint security personnel in the mosque area while securing the Tarawih prayer service.
The shooting incident occurred on March 25 2023, at the Al Amaliah Mosque, Ilu District, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua Mountains Province. Due to this incident, 3 victims were recorded from the TNI-Polri apparatus in which two of them died.
All the traces of riots or disturbances that have been launched by KST have become proof that KST must be fought. The TNI-Polri apparatus needs to be more assertive in taking action against the KST where its members often destroy peace in Papua.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo