Papua – The presence of the TNI in various vulnerable areas in Papua, such as the Oksop and Mayuberi Districts, is a real hope for the people who have been trapped in fear due to the terror of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). In stressful situations, the TNI is not only present as a guardian of sovereignty, but also as a protector and servant of humanity in isolated areas.
In Oksop Village, Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Task Force Yonif 751/VJS Koops Swasembada built trust and brought new hope. The border area between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea previously experienced severe infrastructure damage due to the destructive actions of the OPM which damaged three main bridges connecting to the Serambakon area. As a result, residents experienced difficulty in accessing logistics and lived in uncertainty. However, now, the situation is starting to recover.
“Now people are starting to return to their hometowns,” said Forban Kalakmabin, a community leader in Oksop District. He also expressed his gratitude for the food aid brought by the TNI via helicopter.
“We express our gratitude and are very thankful for the food aid. With the TNI here, we no longer have difficulty getting food,” he said.
Not only distributing logistics, Task Force 751/VJS also opened a health service post that was much needed by residents. A source from the Task Force said that their presence was not just about security.
“The presence of the TNI is not only about security, but also new hope for the lives of people in border areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Mayuberi, Puncak Regency, the OPM threat has hampered the assignment of health workers since the Community Health Center was built in 2019. Anis Murib, Head of Mayuberi Village, revealed the sad condition.
“The OPM threat has long made it difficult for us to get health workers, because security conditions do not yet allow it,” he said.
Now, hope has resurfaced from the Mayuberi TNI Post. “We came here for treatment. We were greatly helped,” added Anis. Lieutenant Inf Arif Natsir, Danpos Mayuberi, emphasized the TNI’s commitment. “We came not only to maintain sovereignty, but to listen, serve, and be part of the lives of the people,” he said.
The TNI continues to strive to be the vanguard in developing Papua, not only from a security aspect, but also from a humanitarian aspect. The reconstruction efforts of damaged bridges and direct health services by soldiers are real manifestations of the state’s presence to protect all its people, especially those who have lived in the shadow of violence. ()
