Papua Mountains – Another barbaric act was carried out by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) which attacked and killed a number of civilians in the Suntamon District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains. The victims were known to work as gold miners and had no connection to the military. This heinous act is considered a gross violation of Human Rights (HAM) and a real form of crime against humanity.
The Head of the TNI Information Center (Kapuspen TNI), Brigadier General TNI Kristomei Sianturi, strongly condemned the attack and emphasized that the brutal actions of the OPM were human rights violations that could not be tolerated. “This is real barbarity, a crime against humanity that must be stopped. The victims are innocent civilians, not TNI soldiers as claimed by the OPM,” Kristomei emphasized.
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Furthermore, he revealed that OPM often spreads propaganda and manipulates information to justify their violent actions. “The claim that the victim was a member of the TNI is a hoax made to create legitimacy for their brutal actions,” he added.
The same thing was also conveyed by the Commander of Kodim 1715/Yahukimo, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Tommy Yudistyo. He emphasized that the murder victims in the Kali Silet area, which is on the border of Yahukimo Regency and Asmat Regency, were pure civilians who worked as gold panners. “The victims are certainly not members of the TNI, so what the OPM stated is fake news and not true,” explained Tommy.
Lieutenant Colonel Tommy also revealed that access to the location of the incident was very difficult, both in terms of geography and communication, so the process of recording the number of victims is still ongoing. From Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo, the location can only be reached by helicopter, while from Asmat you have to use a motorboat along the river.
The attack is strongly suspected to have been carried out by the Yahukimo OPM led by Elkius Kobak. The group was previously involved in a series of other violent acts, including the assault and murder of teachers and health workers in Anggruk District for the same reason, accusing them of being security forces.
The TNI together with law enforcement officers are committed to pursuing the perpetrators and ensuring the security of the Papuan people. “The TNI will continue to be present with the people in maintaining national stability and security. Any act of violence against civilians will not be allowed to continue,” concluded Brigadier General Kristomei.
