By: Saby Kossay )*
The terror acts of the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) threaten peace, including the residents of Yahukimo. The community also hopes that the TNI/Polri will immediately eradicate them so that the pulse of citizens’ lives will return to normal.
Papua is a province known for its exotic nature, and unfortunately this region is also synonymous with OPM and KST. Separatist groups have been very disturbing, even since the New Order era. Until now they are still there because they use guerrilla techniques, and will continue to be eradicated by the apparatus, so that peace in Papua is not damaged.
On June 24, 2021, Papua was again in an uproar because KST suddenly attacked residents in the Yahukimo area, precisely in Bingki Village. The bloody incident happened again and resulted in 4 fatalities, while the tribal chief was in critical condition. The evacuation was carried out by helicopter, because the Yahukimo area was in the hills. Meanwhile, other residents also saved themselves from being threatened by KST.
The Head of Information for Kobagwilhan III, Colonel Czi IGN Suriastawa, stated that KST members used stolen weapons when the officers were carrying out security for the project at Nop Goliat Airport, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency. It is suspected that the perpetrators were the Tandius Murib group.
The public condemned KST for suddenly attacking citizens. Why do they have the heart to kill fellow Papuans? Whereas as fellow natives, they should help each other, instead they attack and shoot at will. Moreover, they also attacked the tribal chief who should be respected.
This is not the first time that KST has spread terror on the Earth of Cendrawasih. Before the attack on June 24, 2021, a few days earlier they attacked officers at the airport project, and 2 officers died. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that there have been 95 fatalities from KST’s actions over the past 3 years.
KST’s barbarity can no longer be tolerated. The reason is, they also dare to attack the apparatus, even though the task of the police and army is to secure the people in Papua. Why are you being attacked so blindly?
When there were many attacks, to prevent further riots, more TNI troops were brought in from outside Papua. They were assigned to comb KST and chased straight to its base. However, by KST, it was said that the apparatus took the citizens’ right to freedom, just like the military operations area in Aceh several decades ago.
This statement is a very playing victim because it is members of the TNI who guard the community from being attacked by members of a terrorist group. Peace in Papua must be maintained so that residents can move safely outside their homes, without fear of being hit by stray bullets. People must get their right to live in peace, without any threats from KST and OPM.
The people themselves also long for peace in Papua, because they do not want to evacuate again and again when there is an attack on KST. How can you live comfortably when you have to be able to survive under pressure? KST continues to terrorize both in the real world and in cyberspace, by spreading hoaxes and propaganda.
Therefore, civilians strongly agree when additional troops are added, because they understand that it is their duty to create a safe and peaceful Papua. The public also agreed when KST was labeled as a terrorist group, so that its eradication would be faster, because there would be assistance from the anti-terror Densus 88.
The KST terror has deeply disturbed the people of Papua, and the death toll continues to grow. To prevent further chaos, the authorities are working hard to eradicate this terrorist group. The community also continues to support the apparatus, so that peace in Papua can be realized quickly.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
