104 Residents of Manggelum District, South Papua, Displaced Following KKB Terror

A total of 104 residents from the Manggelum District in South Papua have fled to Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency, due to fears regarding security disturbances caused by armed criminal groups (KKB).

Boven Digoel Police Chief, AKBP Wisnu Putra Perdana, stated that approximately one hundred residents, including children, evacuated their villages using motorboats. Upon arriving in Tanah Merah on Saturday (6/6), the residents of Manggelum District were immediately met by Boven Digoel Police personnel, who provided humanitarian services.

“They fled because the security situation in the area became non-conducive following the arrival of the KKB, who were also reported to have burned health facilities in the region,” said Wisnu on Sunday (7/6).

Before arriving in Tanah Merah, the displaced persons stopped in the Kouh District, where officials assisted in securing their journey. “Currently, they are being housed in the Boven Digoel Police Headquarters hall in Tanah Merah,” Wisnu added.

Wisnu further noted that health officers have conducted medical examinations on the residents. The Boven Digoel Police are continuing to coordinate with the Boven Digoel Regency Government, the Military District Command (Kodim), and relevant agencies to ensure that the security, safety, and basic needs of the displaced persons are adequately met.

“We are also maintaining close coordination with the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and the Boven Digoel Local Government regarding the security situation in Manggelum District, with the aim of restoring stability so that the community can return to their villages and carry out their daily activities safely and comfortably,” Wisnu concluded.