Papua DPD Condemns KKB Attack Killing Civilians in Puncak Regency

Several leaders and senator members of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Papua have condemned the attack by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Kembru Village, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, which killed nine civilians on 14 April. The Papua DPD issued a joint statement, urging the government and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to take firm action against the incident. “This phenomenon of violence is an accumulation of structural problems that have not been comprehensively resolved,” said Deputy Chairman of the DPD, Yorrys Raweyai, during a press conference at the parliamentary complex on Tuesday (21/4). In addition to killing nine civilians, the incident also resulted in seven others suffering serious injuries, while hundreds of the remaining residents were forced to evacuate and lost access to basic needs. Meanwhile, different data was provided by the Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, who stated that the number of fatalities was higher, up to 15 victims. Pigai said the data was compiled from various parties, including local government, residents, and injured victims from the shootout. Yorrys added that the regions of Papua Pegunungan and Central Papua are currently the most affected areas due to the conflict between the KKB and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TNPPB). “Many residents live in conditions far from decent humanitarian standards, while attention to refugees is still not optimal,” he said. According to Yorrys, several unresolved human rights violation cases in Papua have deepened public distrust towards the state. He praised the President’s commitment to addressing the conflict in Papua. However, he said, the government’s and TNPPB’s approaches have not been complemented by dialogic, humanistic strategies based on social justice. “To date, no comprehensive and publicly transparent grand design and roadmap for resolving the Papua conflict has been visible,” he stated. On that occasion, the Papua DPD conveyed seven positions regarding the 14 April incident in Puncak Regency. First, they urged a comprehensive halt to violence in Papua. Second, they demanded security and decent living conditions for the people of Papua. Third, they called on the government to create a grand design and roadmap for resolving the Papua conflict transparently to the public. Fourth, they encouraged inclusive dialogue involving all elements of Papuan society. Fifth, they demanded fair and transparent resolution of human rights violations. Sixth, they called for addressing poverty and development inequalities structurally and sustainably. Finally, they urged strengthening cross-institutional and community collaboration in resolving the Papua conflict. “Resolving the Papua conflict cannot be done sectorally. It requires synergy and collective commitment from all elements of the nation,” said Yorrys.