Home Affairs Minister hopes security forces will neutralise armed group in Jayawijaya

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian has expressed hope that the security forces can neutralise armed groups in Papua after three civil servants (ASN) were shot dead while on duty in Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua.

“I certainly hope the security forces — the police, the TNI and intelligence — can maintain a more conducive situation, then monitor the movements of these groups and neutralise them,” Tito said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Such steps are needed so that people feel safe carrying out their daily activities. People, Tito said, will be calmer in their activities if there are no attacks that cause fear.

Responding to the armed group’s claim that the ASN killed in the shooting were intelligence operatives, Tito assessed that this narrative is an excuse frequently given by perpetrators of violence after carrying out attacks.

“That is usually how it is — those who carry out shootings and violence always claim their targets were intelligence,” he said.

He considered the accusation was used to disturb communities, spread fear and create an unconducive situation.

The shooting occurred when a convoy from the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Service was returning to Wamena after delivering food aid in the form of pigs to communities in Kimbim Village, Asologaima District, on Wednesday (9/9).

The convoy was ambushed in Muliama District, about 20 kilometres from Wamena. In total, three civil servants were killed in the shooting: Aprida Rapi, Alfonsius Albinus Meha and Willi Mbuik.

Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army General Maruli Simanjuntak affirmed that his side would evaluate the civilian security system in Papua following the incident.

“This is something we will continue to evaluate. Our troops have also begun to be deployed in places we have anticipated,” Maruli said when met in Jakarta on Friday (11/9).