By: Rebecca Marian)*
The community supports the security forces’ firm action against the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST). Law enforcement is needed to maintain peace in Papua ahead of Christmas and New Year.
The Separatist Terrorist Group does not seem tired of disturbing security in Papua. KST is still showing its brutal actions that make Papuan people disturbed. The brutality caused by KST’s actions must of course get attention from the government, because the government has an obligation to maintain security from Sabang to Merauke.
If KST has used weapons in its actions to attack the community, the state must be present, by deploying armed TNI-Polri personnel to protect the community.
At the end of October 2021, KST launched an attack aimed at the Sugapa Police at 15.00 WIT. At that time the TNI and Polri were involved in a shootout with KST for 30 minutes.
In addition to attacking the police station, KST Papua also attacked the post of Task Force 521 and BKO Brimob personnel. After the shootout, KST Papua continued its action by burning a number of houses around Bilorai Sugapa. This action, of course, cannot be tolerated, the burning of public facilities has become proof that KST is indeed a terrorist who must be crushed.
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD stated that as many as 95 people died as a result of acts of terror and violence in KST. Of these, 59 of them are civilians.
In addition to causing dozens of people to die, the terror launched by KST also caused hundreds of people to be injured. This security disturbance, of course, disrupts the course of development that is being predicted by the government.
Previously, the Governor had invited all ranks in West Papua Province to support the Indonesia Vision 2019-2024 and harmonize provincial, district/city development programs with national programs.
Development in Papua certainly includes infrastructure and human resources, where the existence of infrastructure will support economic activities, while human resource development will increase the competitiveness of the Papuan people in the era of globalization.
The actions taken by KST were indeed very heinous and barbaric. Because they not only spread terror, but also damaged state-owned facilities such as schools and health centers.
Therefore, the actions taken by armed groups in Papua have fulfilled the elements contained in the Terrorism Law. In addition, with regard to the terrorist label, Komjen Pol Paulus Waterpauw continues to remind the public, especially in Cenderawasih Earth, not to misinterpret, where the labeling is only specifically aimed at KKB.
This is because the crimes committed by the KKB were not only directed at the security forces, but also targeted civilians, educators and health workers. Paulus also said that the last time he went to Yakuhimo, he learned that a worker who was carrying bricks had been attacked by arrows by KKB. After falling, the victim was then killed using an ax.
He said KKB already had sharp weapons and then carried out violence against the community. Ask for food, ask for funds. They did this to Papuans, even by burning their houses. As a Papuan figure, he considers that the conflict in Papua must be viewed with a legal approach, because anyone must obey state rules. Therefore, Paulus warned, if later it was decided in court against terrorist actors in Papua, the group would have big consequences. Not only the actors on the field, but also the brains behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has asked members of the National Police and TNI Soldiers to be aware of threats from KST whose activities are predicted to strengthen towards the end of the year. He said the TNI-Polri would monitor the movement of groups trying to disrupt large events in Papua such as PON and Peparnas.
Previously, Sigit also explained that anyone who disturbs the security and order situation in Papua will be dealt with firmly. He believes that the Nemangkawi Operations Task Force is able to convince the Papuan people that they are loved by the whole nation.
KST is like a parasite that destroys the social order in Papua, for their political interests they then attack and destroy public facilities like terrorists. The government must not remain silent, because maintaining the security of Papua is maintaining the security and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Jakarta
