The Free Papua Organization (OPM), which has long been a separatist movement in Papua, continues to carry out a series of terror acts targeting civilians and security forces. This act of violence has caused fear and unrest, as well as loss of life for civil society in Papua. The latest incident was that a helicopter belonging to flight operator Intan Angkasa Air Service was attacked by OPM members in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.
OPM members took hostages and killed PT helicopter pilots. Intan Angkasa Air Service, Mr. Glen Malcolm Conning (50) is a New Zealander. Not only that, OPM also brutally killed foreign pilots who had been helping transport Indigenous Papuans (OAP).
Head of Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations Brigadier General Pol. Faizal Ramadhani, in a press release received by ANTARA in Jayapura, said that the organization which was at odds with the ideology of the Republic of Indonesia also burned the IWN Type Helicopter, MD.500 ER PK in Alama District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province at 10:00 WIT.
According to Faizal, the incident occurred when the helicopter arrived in Alama District, Mimika Regency carrying four passengers, namely two health workers and a baby and a child from Moses Kilangin Timika Airport bound for Alama District.
On a different occasion, Head of the Cartenz Peace Ops Public Relations Task Force, Police Commissioner. Bayu Suseno said that the information received by the witness with the initials D explained that when the helicopter arrived in Alaman District, the passengers and pilot were immediately confronted by the OPM.
He explained that the incident started at around 09:30 WIT for the IWN type helicopter, MD.500 ER PK, belonging to PT. Intan Angkasa Air Service with pilot Mr. Glen Malcolm Conning carried four passengers flying from Mosez Kilangin Timika airport to Alama District, Mimika Regency.
Terror acts carried out by the OPM are often driven by a desire to draw international attention to Papuan issues, including alleged human rights violations and economic injustice. However, the violent methods they use actually worsen the situation and increase the suffering of the Papuan people. Instead of getting sympathy, this action actually sparked fear and anger among the public.
The acts of violence carried out by OPM not only caused physical victims, but also had a deep psychological impact. Many Papuans live in fear of sudden attacks. Children and women are often victims of trauma, losing their homes and even losing family members. People’s daily lives have been disrupted, with many feeling unsafe to carry out activities outside the home.
On the other hand, the violence carried out by the OPM also triggered strong action from the security forces. Military operations carried out to deal with this situation often result in larger clashes, which only worsen the situation and prolong the suffering of the Papuan people.
A number of traditional leaders from various regions in Papua expressed their disapproval of the violence carried out by this group, which has caused suffering to the local community.
Papuan traditional figure, Herman Yoku, strongly condemned OPM’s various sadistic actions. According to him, OPM has always provoked and sparked riots in various regions in Papua recently.
Apart from triggering riots, Herman believes that OPM has violated many human rights by killing and oppressing civil society. They claim to be fighting for Papuan independence, even though not all Papuans want independence.
Herman believes that OPM has committed many human rights violations by killing civilians under the pretext of fighting for Papuan independence, even though not all Papuans have the same desires as OPM.
OPM has tricked the Papuan people into attacking the government. Even though he emphasized that the Papuan people love peace. all levels of Papuan society, to always maintain conduciveness to make Papua safe and developed.
Strong criticism deserves to be directed at a number of acts of violence that have been carried out by OPM. This action will have a negative impact on the people of Bumi Cenderawasih. Therefore, all Papuan people fully support the security forces to take firm action against the OPM. The goal is to bring about peace in Papua.
This firm statement from traditional leaders received widespread support from the Papuan people. Many hope that with the voices of traditional leaders, the conflict in Papua can soon be ended and peace can be achieved.
Papuan traditional leaders’ condemnation of the OPM terror act is an important voice in efforts to create peace in Papua. They called on all parties to stop violence and turn to dialogue as the best way out. In the spirit of national unity and integrity, these traditional leaders are committed to continuing to fight for peace and prosperity for all Papuan people.
For this reason, joint efforts are needed from all parties, including the government, the international community and local communities, to find a just and peaceful solution for Papua. Violence must never be a tool to achieve political goals, and dialogue must always be prioritized to resolve conflicts. Only in this way can Papua move towards a brighter and more peaceful future.