Strong criticism regarding the acts of savagery and violence that continue to be carried out by KST Papua, even up to the celebration of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The security forces should be able to be much firmer with them so that the implementation of the Indonesian Independence Day is no longer disrupted and everything can be in a conducive condition.
The Papua Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) has continued to carry out series of acts of violence, cruelty and savagery (KST) in Papua lately. Including the latest is how they carried out their action in Puncak District, Central Papua Province some time ago.
Disturbances after disturbances continued to be intensified by separatist groups in Bumi Cenderawasih, one of which was even targeting activities to prepare for the celebration of the 78th Indonesian Independence Day which was held in Puncak, Central Papua.
Regarding the disturbances that continued to be perpetrated by KST Papua, the Commander of the Mobile YR 300 / Bjw Task Force Lieutenant Colonel Infantry (Lt. Col. Inf) Afri Swandi Ritonga explained that the disturbance occurred on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
The Puncak Flag Raising Troop (Paskibra) Team is currently carrying out exercises in the framework of the 78th Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony and at the same time a volleyball competition is being held on the field. However, in the midst of this conducive situation, suddenly a gunshot was heard.
The sound of the shot was aimed directly at the Trikora field platform, Kago Village, Ilaga District, Puncak Regency. It is estimated that the direction of the shot came from Moko Street, Jenggerpaga Village, Ilaga District, Puncak. Then after hearing the sound of the gunshots, the security forces from the joint personnel consisting of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) immediately gave chase to the source of the shots.
It turned out that the disturbance did not only happen once there, but there was a second incident, namely when the Joint Team from the TNI finished installing the Red and White Flag on Snake Hill. An incident similar to the first incident, the Gome Post personnel suddenly heard the sound of gunshots 4 (four) times from the direction of Bukit Tepuk.
There is a strong indication that the gunfire from the direction of Bukit Tepuk was certainly carried out by the Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) in Bumi Cenderawasih, which came from the Kalenak Murib group. Immediately after hearing the gunshots, the joint personnel immediately fired back in the same direction.
In this regard, the Head of Information for the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kapen Kogabwilhan) III Colonel Czi GN. Suriastawa also confirmed the two incidents that took place in Puncak, Central Papua. Thanks to the rapid response action carried out by the security forces from joint personnel by pursuing and also shooting back, then there were members from KST Papua who were shot.
Information provided by the Dansatgas Mobile Infantry Battalion 300 indicated that the separatist group had gunshot wounds from members of the Mobile Task Force 300. All KST members immediately ran away and entered the wilderness. Despite these incidents and disturbances, there were no victims from the security forces.
Even though various kinds of disturbances had been made by the separatist gang, IGN Suriastawa did not take it too seriously and instead only considered that KST Papua was seeking attention from the local Regional Government (Pemda) because they were waiting for village budget funds.
IGN Suriastawa emphasized that the attacks carried out by the separatist group were only to show their existence. Preparedness and highly trained joint troops or personnel, the existence of KST Papua is not at all a big thing and not too threatening. It was proven that when the chase was carried out, the KST immediately ran away and entered the wilderness.
Towards the implementation of the celebration of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence Day as it is today, all parties should be able to work together to create a safe and conducive situation and condition. The actions carried out by KST Papua cannot be justified at all and deserve condemnation, and the entire security apparatus should eradicate them completely.
