Papua Police: Community activities in Dekai City are gradually returning to normal

The Head of Public Relations of the Papuan Regional Police, Kombes Ahmad Musthofa Kamal, on Friday (18/3/2022) stated that community activities in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency, Papua, are gradually returning to normal after clashes between demonstrators against the expansion of Papua and security forces that occurred on Tuesday (Feb. 15/3/2022). Kamal hopes that the situation for Dekai and Yahukimo Regency will continue to improve.

Kamal stated that Dekai's situation, which is already safe and conducive, must be maintained. "With the hope that development will get better and progress," he said.

According to Kamal, on Thursday (17/3/2022) the Yahukimo Police and the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskimum) of the Papuan Regional Police (Polda) arrested three people suspected of being involved in the destruction and burning of a number of shop houses and government offices in Dekai. Police have also conducted a crime scene (TKP).
 
"Yesterday, investigators have examined several witnesses, conducted crime scenes. In addition, the team has also secured evidence at several locations," said Kamal.

The police have named one person with the initials L as a suspect who took part in the demonstration which ended in chaos. Currently, investigators are still investigating the witnesses, both from the public and the police who were in the field at that time. "The investigation of the witnesses and suspects is carried out to ascertain whether there are other suspects involved," he said.

On Tuesday (15/3/2022), a demonstration against the planned expansion of Papua Province took place in Dekai. Initially, the demonstration took place in a peaceful and orderly manner, and the demonstrators took turns expressing their aspirations to reject the plan to form new autonomous regions or new provinces. The demonstrators and the police also had time to negotiate, when the demonstrators asked the police to bring members of the DPRD Yahukimo to accept their aspirations.
 
A number of sources contacted by Jubi said clashes between protesters and security forces occurred after a police officer carrying a camera took pictures of the protesters. Several protesters protested this. The protest escalated into an argument between demonstrators and police, then stone pelting ensued.

Police then fired tear gas, throwing the crowd into chaos. In the chaos, Yakob Meklok and Esron Weipsa were shot by live bullets and died. Yakob Meklok died from a gunshot wound under his right armpit. Meanwhile, Esron Weipsa died from a gunshot wound to the left back.

In addition, three other people were injured in the clashes. They were First Brigadier Muhammad Aldi (wound to the head), Itos Hitlay (gunshot wound to the left thigh), and Luki Kobak (gunshot wound to the right thigh). The incident sparked a mass riot that set fire to a number of Roku and government offices in Dekai.

SOURCE : https://jubi.co.id/polda-papua-activity- Masyarakat-di-kota-dekai-rangsur-normal/amp