JAKARTA: Police are hunting suspected members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) after three civil servants, two women and a man, were shot dead while on duty in Jayawijaya regency, Papua Highlands, on Wednesday.
According to Sr. Comr. Yusuf Sutejo, spokesperson for the Operation Cartenz Peace task force, said the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. local time, when a group of 11 employees from the Jayawijaya Agriculture Agency was returning to the regency capital of Wamena from Muliama district, about 20 kilometres away.
“The group had earlier inspected a site for a planned rice field and distributed food and livestock aid to residents in Muliama district. As they were returning to Wamena, however, they were stopped and fired upon by an armed group suspected of being members of the OPM from the Nduga area,” Yusuf said on Friday.
The victims have been identified as Aprida Rapi, 49, head of the livestock division at the Jayawijaya Agriculture Agency; Willi Mbuik, 24, a civil servant at the agency; both women; and Alfonsius Albinus Mehan, 34, a veterinarian.
Aprida and Alfonsius died at the scene, while Willi was evacuated to Wamena Regional Hospital for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries.
Aprida was shot in the abdomen, while Alfonsius was shot in the back of the head and hand. Willi sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen.
Yusuf said investigators had examined the scene and recovered three spent bullet casings. Two were 5.56 mm rounds, typically used in rifles, while the third was a 9 mm round commonly used in handguns.
Police have also questioned survivors to gather descriptions of the attackers and help identify those responsible for the shooting, he said.
“Based on preliminary statements from witnesses, the group consisted of eight people and was reportedly armed with two rifles. Police are continuing to pursue the suspects,” Yusuf said.
Police have deployed an additional 50 personnel from Timika to Jayawijaya as a precautionary measure and to help prevent further incidents.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the OPM, has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom alleged that the three victims were Indonesian Military (TNI) intelligence personnel and said they had tried to flee after their vehicle was stopped by members of the armed group on the Wamena-Tiom highway.
The group said the passengers had been ordered to remain inside the vehicle while they were questioned, but the three victims panicked and attempted to flee.
“All passengers were told to remain in the vehicle for questioning. The three victims panicked and fled, so we shot them dead,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday, as quoted by Tribunnews.com.
The TPNPB said its members opened fire because they feared their presence would be detected by Indonesian security forces. It also claimed that its fighters later exchanged fire with security personnel near the scene at about 5 p.m. local time.
The group's claims could not be independently verified.
The Human Rights Ministry condemned the shooting, describing the killings as an act of violence against civilians and a violation of human rights principles.
“The Human Rights Ministry strongly condemns the shooting. This was a heinous killing of civilians who were simply trying to do their jobs in Papua. We also call for the perpetrators to be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice,” ministry spokesperson Thomas Harming Suwarta said on Thursday, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
Thomas said the case should be handled through established legal mechanisms while upholding human rights principles. He urged all parties to prioritise civilian safety and take steps to prevent further loss of life.
“This conflict must not come at the expense of civilians. We urge all parties to exercise restraint,” Thomas said. - Jakarta Post/ANN
