Apkam’s Quick Response to Separatist Group Actions in Puncak Jaya, Papuan People Should Not Be Provoked by OPM Incitement
Jayapura – Task Force Yonif RK 753/AVT on Tuesday evening (16/7) in Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, succeeded in neutralizing the activities of the separatist group Free Papua Organization (OPM).
It is hoped that the community, especially residents in Papua, will not be instigated by provocation and will participate in efforts to maintain safe conduciveness in the region.
“The quick response from the security forces of the RK 753/AVT Yonif Task Force took action against the OPM gang,” said Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kapendam), Lt. Col. Inf Candra Kurniawan.
Lt. Col. Candra explained that when security forces tried to make arrests at a kiosk, the group put up armed resistance. The firm action of the security forces resulted in the deaths of three members of the OPM group.
“When they were about to be arrested by TNI officers at a kiosk or stall, the OPM gang fought back by firing shots trying to shoot TNI officers, so that TNI soldiers paralyzed and shot the gang, which caused 3 OPM members to die,” he said.
After the incident, the authorities managed to secure evidence in the form of homemade firearms and a Morning Star flag. Meanwhile, their leader, identified as Teranus Enumbi, managed to escape.
“This operation was launched after reports of the presence of an armed group in Karubate Village, Muara District,” explained Lt. Col. Candra.
Lt. Col. Candra emphasized that the Enumbi-led group had long been the target of security operations because of a series of acts of violence against civilians and security forces.
“TNI-Polri officers continue to strive to maintain regional stability by protecting and serving the community. “Law enforcement will continue to be enforced, especially against disturbances by separatist groups,” stressed Lt. Col. Candra.
Several incidents attributed to the group include attacks on civilians and security forces in recent months. Enumbi himself has been listed on the Police’s Wanted List (DPO) since 2018.
Some of the actions linked to this group include the attack on a motorbike taxi driver named Husen (39), the shooting of a civilian named Prasetyo (33), the attack on a motorbike taxi driver named Jainul (44) and the attack and stabbing of two security officers, Sertu Ismunandar and Serka Salim.
TNI-Polri appealed to the public to remain calm and report all forms of suspicious activity to the nearest security apparatus.
Previously, Ali Kabiay, who served as Secretary General of the Indonesian Red and White Front and was known as a Papuan youth figure, appealed to the Papuan people to contribute to maintaining security and public order (Kamtibmas) in their region.
“A safe area will certainly have an economic investment and purchasing power that will revive itself, for that reason, let all components of society, namely leaders, support the security forces to maintain security and social order throughout Papua,” said Kabiay. [-ed]
