WAMENA – The shooting of two construction workers in the construction area of the GKI Imanuel Air Garam Church, Asotipo District, Jayawijaya, Papua Pegunungan, Wednesday (4/6), has drawn widespread condemnation. This tragic incident claimed the lives of Saepudin and Rahmat Hidayat, workers from Purwakarta, West Java, who were completing the church project.
The chairman of the Baliem Yalimo GKI Classis, Reverend Eduard Su, expressed his shock at the unprecedented event in their congregation. He said that this event had hit the church community hard, especially because it happened in a place that should have been a symbol of peace.
“The church location should be a safe place for the congregation. Moreover, this is in the midst of the struggle to build a house of worship, but instead this heartbreaking event occurred,” said Pastor Eduard Su.
He added that the entire congregation was invited to strengthen prayers, while hoping that the authorities and policy makers could immediately restore security.
“We pray that the victim’s family will be given strength. Let God process the perpetrator in His own way,” he concluded.
In testimony at the Jayawijaya Police, Yustinus Kuantapo, Head of Kuantapo Village and Head of the Church Construction Committee, explained the chronology of the incident. He said the two victims were shot after casting the building pillars.
“After seeing the concrete pillar, I went inside the church while checking my cellphone. Suddenly some unknown people came from behind and chased them,” said Yustinus Kuantapo.
The two workers tried to escape towards the road, but were eventually shot.
“I only heard two gunshots. When I came out, they were already lying dead,” he explained.
Yustinus emphasized that previously the village was very safe and there had never been a similar shooting. He hopes the victim’s body can be returned soon and the local government will give full attention.
Both figures called for the construction of houses of worship to remain protected from all forms of violence. Great hopes are pinned that the security of Papua Mountains will soon recover, so that people can carry out activities and worship without fear. (^)