By : Timothy Gobay )*
The Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST) is carrying out terror and disturbing the community. Even their attacks were indiscriminate. The public is asked to be vigilant and careful when doing activities outside the home. If there is an attack by the KST, they are urged to immediately report it to the security forces, so that it will be dealt with immediately.
Again, KST carried out attacks on Papuan civilians. Their recklessness spontaneously received criticism from the public, because they had done it many times. Peace in Papua can be damaged because of KST because they too often create chaos and endanger many people.
On April 30, 2023, residents in Statistics, Dekai, Yahukimo, became victims of KST violence, and lost their lives. The Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Ignatius Benny Adi Prabowo, stated that 2 victims named Asri Obet and Yonatan Aruan were victims. His party is still investigating this case and conducting TKP investigations, as well as sweeping.
The victim was in the hospital for a post-mortem. It is suspected that they were beaten first, then lost their lives. The public condemned KST’s atrocities because their attack was not the first time.
The KST terror made people more careful, especially when doing activities outside the home. Papua Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Mathius Fakhiri said that currently the apparatus is still pursuing the perpetrators of the murder in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains. The community is expected to increase their vigilance when doing activities outside the home, including when going to the garden or selling in areas that are empty of people.
The two residents who were attacked by KST were immigrants. Papuan people who come from outside the island are expected to increase their vigilance. Don’t get too engrossed outside the house and suddenly a KST member becomes the victim of an attack.
Inspector General of Police Mathius Faakhiri continued, two people have been detained in connection with the murder of two residents that occurred on April 30, 2023. Meanwhile, this case is still under investigation to find other suspects.
When there is an KST attack, the Papuan people are asked to remain vigilant, especially when leaving the house. They don’t have to shut themselves up because the atmosphere is still conducive. However, Papuans are asked to be more introspective and monitor the situation. When KST members are present, they immediately hide or run to their respective homes.
If there are KST members, don’t just sit idly by, residents must report them to the authorities, either in person or via telephone. If there is a report from the public, the apparatus will immediately come and secure it, so that there are no civilian casualties.
Papuans criticized KST for attacking migrants. They split the unity on Earth of Cendrawasih. Orang Asli Papua (OAP) do not mind when there are migrants, but KST who get emotional then carry out attacks based on SARA (Ethnicity, Religion, Race, and Intergroup).
Meanwhile, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fahiri stated that the number of disturbances from KST during the first semester of 2022 had increased compared to the same period in 2021. He also reminded his members in vulnerable areas not to let their guard down and to always be vigilant. Likewise with civilians, especially those who work as motorcycle taxi drivers. Because many of them are victims.
Inspector General Mathius continued, in the first semester of 2022 there were 44 cases of KST disturbances. Consisting of shootings, gunfire, persecution, arson, and confiscation of firearms. The victims recorded were 12 civilians, seven TNI members, one Polri member and four KST members. This figure is higher than the cases in semester I of 2021, namely 33 cases.
Meanwhile, throughout 2022 there were 48 fatalities due to the KST attack. In detail, 35 were civilians and the rest were from the security forces. The increase in the number of victims is very sad because it shows the cruelty of this separatist group. The people continue to hate KST because they are both Papuans, but have the heart to kill their own siblings.
With so many KST victims, it is only natural that Papuans are asked to be wary of attacks from the separatist group. This is because the number of victims has increased and KST has become more violent in recent years, due to the pandemic. They find it difficult to get food when they are guerrillas in the forest, so they are determined to carry out robberies and attacks on the community.
The majority of victims are indigenous Papuans and this is regrettable because they have the heart to attack and kill their own tribesmen. Most of the victims were motorcycle taxi drivers and workers in the informal sector, because they were accused of spying for the authorities. Even though they were just ordinary civilians but became victims of KST’s atrocities, therefore they had to be more careful when they were on the streets.
The KST terror did not discriminate because those who were attacked were not only immigrants but also OAP. KST must be eradicated so that it does not attack society. They have violated human rights and committed serious legal violations to the point where they took the lives of others.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Gorontalo
