REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA -- Papuan police say at least 14 people were injured in a series of riots that took place in the funeral procession motorcade of former Papua Governor Lukas Enembe in Sentani, Jayapura District, on Thursday (28/12/2023).
A total of 28 units of buildings, houses and shops were burned by a Papuan community group that delivered the remains of the former chairman of the Democratic Party's DPD to his residence. Papua Police Chief Irgen Mathius Fakhiri said that of the dozens injured in the riots, including Papua Governor Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukkun's official.
According to him, eight security personnel as well as five ordinary citizens were also injured. “At the moment, the injured are still being treated in a number of hospitals. And specifically for Pj Governor Muhammad Ridwan Rumasukkun was forced to be taken to Jakarta for further treatment,” Fakhiri told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.
In addition to the injuries, Mathius said, the riots also led to arson attacks at a number of points in the Expo Waena area and surrounding areas. Recorded 28 houses, shops. and office buildings were set on fire in mass groups.
A unit of a car allegedly belonging to a police official was also set on fire. And, five four-wheelers suffered heavy damage. “Situations like this are very detrimental to our fellow communities,” Mathius said.
He regretted that Luke's funeral procession, which was supposed to be cool and solemn, had to be accompanied by anarchic action. “I, as the Papuan police chief, and the people of Papua, are very sorry for this kind of situation. It is a moment like this that should show love for the common parents who will pass away,” Mathius said.
He hopes that the unrest during Luke's funeral will not continue and spread to other parts of Papua. Because, if it does, then it will only harm the people in Papua itself.
“I hope, and I ask, that there will be no more actions during the delivery of this body. And so that we both show grief in the right ways according to the tradition of the Papuan child without harming others and fellow human beings,” Mathius said.
Former governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, passed away on Tuesday (26/12/2023). Lukas died at RSPAD Gatot Subroto in Jakarta due to illness. The local Papuan politician died while serving a term of office as a result of a corruption case.
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