Governor prepares emergency team to handle shooting victims in Puncak
Nabire (ANTARA) - Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa is preparing an integrated emergency response team to handle and document civilian residents who became victims of the shooting in Puncak Regency, as an effort to accelerate humanitarian handling in the region.
“In one or two days, we will form an integrated emergency response team together with the Puncak and Puncak Jaya Regency governments to handle the victims,” said Meki when met at Nabire Airport after visiting the shooting victims on Friday.
He explained that due to the armed conflict between security apparatus and the OPM, there have been civilian casualties in Puncak Regency, which borders Puncak Jaya Regency.
The provincial government is currently conducting gradual victim data collection involving various parties, including the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), to ensure all victims receive proper handling.
Logistical support is also being prepared to assist affected communities, including the addition of emergency tents for refugees who are still limited.
In addition to forming an emergency team, the Central Papua Provincial Government is also ensuring that medical handling for victims becomes the top priority, including funding for treatment until recovery.
“We have directly visited the victims, including four children who were hit by bullets. The Provincial Government will cover all treatment costs until they recover; one child has already been flown to Jayapura for treatment,” he said.
In long-term efforts, the Central Papua Provincial Government is also promoting dialogue and communication approaches as a solution to resolving armed conflicts in Central Papua.
“We must prioritise communication and humane approaches so that gradually we can create peace,” he said.
He also urged that the armed conflict between TNI-Polri and OPM should not sacrifice civilians, especially women and children.
“We condemn imprecise actions where children and women become victims,” he said.
Previously, the violence incident in Puncak Regency was marked by mutual claims between security apparatus and OPM.
The TNI side stated that three civilians, consisting of one woman and two children, were injured due to a shooting allegedly carried out by OPM in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, on Wednesday (15/4).
Head of TNI Habema Operational Command Information, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Wirya Arthadiguna, said the main focus of the apparatus currently is the safety of the victims and deepening information related to the perpetrators of the shooting.
On the other hand, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) OPM group, through its official statement, claimed that Indonesian military apparatus conducted a military operation from 13-15 April 2026, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement.
TPNPB also stated that there were nine civilian fatalities in that operation, and called for an independent investigation and international humanitarian access to the conflict area.
To date, there has been no independent confirmation that can fully verify the claims from both parties regarding the number of victims or the chronology of events on the ground.