SEPARATIST GROUPS BURNT THE SCHOOL AGAIN AND THREATS PEOPLE IN THE BINTANG MOUNTAIN

Several dozen residents of Sembakom, Serambakom District, Bintang Mountains, again had to leave their homes to take refuge in a church in the area. The spontaneous action by the residents was known to be out of concern because a separatist group had burned down a school in their village. (14/12)
"Yesterday the state junior high school was burned, they (separatist groups) shouted against weapons. We residents became afraid. We didn't want to interfere, more so while we stayed at the church," said Nus Uropmabin.

Nus said that if the residents' efforts to leave the village must be assisted by the security forces. He even testified that when the evacuation was carried out, he was attacked by a separatist group.

"It's true that we have children, elderly people, women, so we have to be escorted by TNI-Polri personnel, but still we get attacked. Several times we had to take cover to avoid being shot. We were very scared,"

Nus explained that if the disturbance action carried out by the separatist group lasted for more than an hour. He also explained about the terrain surrounded by hills.

"We were fired upon for more than an hour, we also didn't know what to do because they (separatists) were shooting from the hills,"

Nus then denounced the actions of the separatist group which he considered had harmed the residents of the Bintang Mountains. This is based on arson and armed threats that limit residents in their daily activities.

"School is a place where our children can learn and become smart people, that's why we are also angry if SMP is being targeted. Now residents are also afraid to go anywhere, we are not free to do activities,"

SOURCE: https://www.jurnalpapua.info/2021/12/group-separatis-re-bakar.html