By: Abner Wanggai)*
The community supports the Security Forces to eradicate the Separatist and Terrorist Groups (KST) in Papua. The group only causes unrest and disturbs the peace before Christmas.
Papua is an Indonesian territory that has received great attention from the government, especially in the era of President Jokowi. The proof is the continuation of special autonomy so that large funds can be used to build the Earth of Cendrawasih. The Papuan people themselves feel happy because their lives are getting better thanks to the infrastructure they have built.
It is a pity that the positive changes in Papua cannot be felt by the separatist and terrorist groups (KST) because they still insist on independence, because they feel injustice. Whereas centralization like the New Order era has been abolished, so that with full autonomy the Papuan government is freer to develop and prosper its people.
KST’s disappointment was expressed by attacking the security forces because they represented the Indonesian government. Like on December 7, 2021, when KST was about to attack TNI personnel in the Suru-Suru district. The Head of Information for the XVII Cendrawasih Military Command, Colonel Arm Reza Nur Patria, stated that KST came in an attacking formation.
Colonel Arm Reza continued, in this hot incident there were no casualties from the TNI. The reckless action of members of the rebel group was successfully thwarted and responded with a counterattack by TNI soldiers and there was 1 fatality from KST. Measured decisive action had to be taken because KST members carried long-barreled firearms and did not heed the warnings of TNI soldiers.
Firm action by TNI soldiers is indeed permissible because they are in a state of danger, where lives are at stake. Moreover, KST is also guilty of carrying firearms which is clearly illegal as civilians are not allowed to use pistols or any firearms. In addition, they were also desperate to attack TNI members first.
After this incident, the Nemangkawi Task Force continued to conduct sweeps to the KST headquarters, as a task force devoted to eradicating rebel groups in Papua. The raid on the headquarters was indeed more effective because it was certain that there were many KST members hiding there.
KST’s headquarters are indeed many and some are hidden, but they must be found so that KST is quickly disbanded. To find the headquarters, there is help from the intelligence. The public is also expected to report to the security forces if they suspect that there is one place that KST frequently visits.
So far, the community has agreed when there is strict action against KST members. The reason, they are also tired of facing the rebel group. First, because of KST, Papua’s reputation has been tarnished, because it is identified with a separatist group. Even though they are only a handful of people and do not represent all the citizens of the Cendrawasih Earth.
Second, if there is KST, it will affect the people’s economy. When KST members roam around and create terror, of course, people hide for fear of being hit by stray bullets, so markets and shops have to be closed. In addition, foreign tourists may be reluctant to travel to Papua because they are afraid of KST, even though their arrival can increase foreign exchange and local government income.
Therefore, the eradication of KST is fully supported by the community, including when there is decisive action. KST has caused chaos too often and the victims are not only the police, but also the civilians, so they have to bear the consequences.
Strict action against KST is allowed because if it is not carried out, the lives of TNI soldiers will be threatened. KST must be eradicated so that people’s security is always maintained and they cannot disrupt peace in Papua.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Yogyakarta
