REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian has acknowledged that the groups committed anarchy in Papua and West Papua have links to foreign organizations. "Yes. We know that these groups have links to international networks," General Tito Karnavian said in Jakarta on Sunday.
Therefore, the National Police is currently coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Intelligence Agency to deal with the problem. The police had identified provocateurs allegedly ignited the unrest in Papua.
"Those responsible for provoking unrest in Papua and West Papua have been identified and are being investigated. If they are proved (to be involved in the riots), they will be prosecuted," Karnavian remarked.
The police chief claimed that the situation in Papua has been under control. Around 6,000 joint military and police personnel were deployed to secure the easternmost Indonesian provinces.
They were distributed at several areas including Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari, Sorong and Fakfak. The Indonesian Police earlier deployed 300 Mobile Brigade Unit (Brimob) personnel to Deiyai, Paniai, and Jayapura following the unrest in Deiyai District that killed two civilians and an Army soldier, Indonesian Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian stated.
Karnavian expressed concern over the incident on Wednesday (Aug 28) and expressed hope of it not recurring in the future. "We deplored the incident in Deiyai in which an army soldier was killed. He was killed in the line of action while guarding military weapons in a car. He was fatally struck by an arrow. His rifle was taken," he stated here on Thursday.
Five military and police personnel were injured in the incident. The police accused a group from Paniai that had triggered the unrest. They were not in the same group with other demonstrators, who had earlier staged a peaceful protest before the local district office.
"This group from Paniai hid behind the demonstrators and attacked security personnel," Karnavian added.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika
