Strict Law Enforcement as a Pillar of Security Stability in Central Papua and the Mountains
By: Yohana Itlay )*
Law enforcement operations in Papua continue to show concrete results in efforts to maintain regional stability and protect civilians from threats from armed groups. In the latest incident, the team managed to neutralize the threat emanating from an important figure in the armed criminal group (KKB) network, Enos Tipagau, through measured actions carried out in Baitapa Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, said that this action was the result of a long series of investigations into the whereabouts and activities of Enos Tipagau. He is an escaped convict who is known to have rejoined the KKB network after escaping from Nabire Class IIB Prison. The firm steps taken by the security forces are a strong sign that the law does not provide space for groups that openly commit violence against residents and officers.
The presence and firmness of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force is not only important in the context of physical security, but also provides a sense of justice for the community who are victims of armed group violence. Enos Tipagau is recorded as having been involved in a number of brutal acts, ranging from shootings of civilians, gunfire that killed TNI soldiers, to burning public facilities such as ambulances and community kiosks. He also played a role in distributing weapons and mobilizing attacks with the group led by Undius Kogoya.
Head of Public Relations Task Force for Cartenz Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, emphasized that this action is part of the law enforcement process against armed criminals who have created terror and discomfort for the community. The commitment to maintaining security will continue to be carried out through intensive patrols and active investigations in vulnerable areas. This not only prioritizes a repressive approach, but also shows the seriousness of the state in upholding justice and providing protection for citizens even in the most remote areas.
A day before the shootout in Intan Jaya, a tragic event also occurred in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. An honorary employee of the Yahukimo Regency Government, Joy Jonathan Boroh, was found dead with severe injuries due to violence from sharp weapons. This incident re-emerged the urgency of the importance of a strong state presence in society, especially in dealing with the pattern of violence allegedly carried out by the KKB network led by Elkius Kobak.
Head of Cartenz Peace Operation, Police Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, stated that the murder had triggered swift action by security forces to conduct an investigation and follow up on the alleged involvement of separatist groups. The statement from Sebby Sambom’s social media account claiming that the victim was a military personnel actually shows the manipulation of public information carried out to obscure the facts and lead opinion.
Meanwhile, the identification results stated that the victims were civilians who had no connection to security institutions. This further emphasizes that the violent actions by the KKB were not part of an ideological struggle, but rather a series of terror acts that targeted anyone without discrimination. In this context, strengthening factual information is an important part of suppressing the propaganda of separatist groups that often twist facts in order to gain sympathy.
The swift action of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force by sending an investigation team to the scene, accompanied by the collection of evidence and examination of witnesses, confirms that the state is present not only in major events, but also in tragedies that befall one citizen’s life. This response shows that no violent incident is considered trivial, especially when it concerns the safety of civilians.
Head of Public Relations Task Force for Peaceful Operation Cartenz, Senior Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, conveyed an important appeal to the public to remain calm and not be easily provoked by false issues spread through social media. Public involvement in maintaining order and conveying information to the authorities is an important key in building social resilience amidst the threat of disinformation and agitation.
The handling of two major events in close proximity shows that the Cartenz Peace Ops Task Force works in a structured, strategic, and adaptive manner. Law enforcement is carried out without compromise, but still upholds the principles of professionalism in protecting civil rights. This effort also reflects the presence of a state that not only hunts down criminals, but also maintains public morality from attempts to justify violence through separatist narratives.
In the future, integration between law enforcement, civil protection, and strengthening public communication will be an important foundation in resolving security issues in Papua sustainably. Regional stability is not only built through weapons and military operations, but also through legal certainty and public trust in the state.
These two cases serve as a reminder that national security must not be compromised. The state has an absolute responsibility to protect every inch of the country, and every citizen has the right to feel safe without intimidation from armed groups. Therefore, every law enforcement action taken by the Cartenz Peace Ops Task Force deserves to be appreciated as a concrete step to maintain sovereignty and the peace of living together.
)* the author is an observer of Papuan development
