REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YAHUKIMO — Acts of violence carried out by separatist groups in Papua continue to occur. Most recently, seven traditional gold mining workers in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, were killed in an attack that occurred on Monday (16/10/2023).

Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri explained that the attack by armed separatists occurred at around 14.30 local time in Kali I, Mosum II Village, in Samboga District, Yahukimo. At this location, there is a group of traditional gold mining communities.

"The attack was carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) who killed five traditional mining workers," said Inspector General Mathius. After receiving a report about the attack, Inspector General Mathius admitted that he immediately communicated with a number of traditional leaders to ensure the safety of other mining workers.

The Cartenz Peace Task Force then reported that they had armed contact with an armed separatist group in the Yahukimo area, Tuesday (17/10/2023). The armed contact occurred when the joint force of the National Police and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) carried out the process of assisting seven bodies and 11 civilian traditional gold miners in Kali I, Seradala District, Yahukimo.

Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Kombes Faiza Ramadhani, said a joint force consisting of 42 personnel went directly to the location on Tuesday (17/10/2023). "When the team arrived at the scene of the crime, the armed criminal group made a disturbance by opening fire at the joint team," said Faizal in a press release, on Tuesday (17/10/2023).

The joint team led by Yahukimo Police Chief AKBP Heru Hidayanto held armed contact with the separatists for 1 hour 30 minutes. Commissioner Faizal confirmed that there were no casualties among the joint personnel in the gunfight. However, the Cartenz Peace Task Force was unable to confirm that any separatist groups were paralyzed in the gunfight.

He said the evacuation mission was successful with the rescue of 11 ordinary citizens who were isolated due to separatist actions. The Task Force also succeeded in evacuating a total of seven bodies of miners killed by separatism, Monday (16/10/2023).

“The team succeeded in evacuating 11 residents who survived. "And the bodies of seven residents who died were also successfully brought to a safe point," said Commissioner Faizal.

Kombes Faizal said that the attack carried out by the separatist group was carried out by mobs lead by the separatist warlord Egianus Kogoya. Apart from killing seven traditional gold miners, the separatist group also set fire to three excavators, two trucks and a gold panning camp area.

From the victim identification, said Commissioner Faizal, the 11 residents who survived the attack and were successfully evacuated were Amiman (33 years old) from Talaud, Abdul Aziz alias Nene (52) from Palopo, Erwin Sengkeng (36) from Dekai, Abdul Rahmansyah alias Rahsya (31) from Maros, Abdul Samad (53) from Paro, Renaldi (28) from Bugis, Hermudin (42) from Palopo, Bebeng (41) from Toraja, Markus Tumpia (35) from Mallo, Ahmad Saleh Ohe (21) from Sentani, and Holden (48) from Talaud.

As for the identification of the bodies, the 7 victims who died as a result of the attack by the separatist group were Udin, Maun, Ardi, Hendra, Appe and Siger, all of whom came from South Sulawesi. And one fatality in the name of Anju is known to have come from North Sumatra.

Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), Sebby Sambom claimed responsibility for the murder. They argued that it was Indonesian intelligence who was killed. “Remember that civilians have been warned many times, you have ears and you should listen. All civilians who work as craftsmen, project workers and illegal miners have been warned to leave the area of ​​armed conflict between TPNPB and TNI/Polri, if they are still stubborn then TPNPB will not compromise. And for your life, TPNPB is not responsible," he said.

This is the umpteenth murder carried out by separatist groups against civilians who they claim are spies. In early October, the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force arrested three suspected perpetrators of the murder of Papuan humanitarian activist, Michelle Kurisi Ndoga. Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Senior Commissioner (Kombes) Ignatius Benny Prabowo, said that the three suspected perpetrators who were arrested were PM, AW, and RK alias RM. There are still four other suspected perpetrators remaining, who are currently still being hunted.

Michelle Ndoga, is a woman, humanitarian activist in Papua. She was found dead at the end of August 2023 in Lanny Jaya. Michelle's death was revealed through video footage which was spread on a number of social media and among journalists. From the recording, Michelle died because she was shot. Before she died, a group of people acting on behalf of the Papuan independence fighter group carried out interrogation and torture.

Before being killed, Michelle went directly to the Nduga region, Papua several times to check on the condition of the Papuan people who had fled due to the armed conflict between the TNI-Polri and Papuan separatist groups. At that time, TPNPB-OPM also admitted responsibility for Michelle's murder.

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