JAKARTA: One of nine women and children abducted by Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels in Central Papua province during Independence Day last month has escaped her captors, while another died while trying to flee, police said.
Senior Commander Yusuf Sutejo, a spokesperson for the Cartenz Peace Operations Task Force, said the survivor, identified as Demerina Uamang, 23, was found by local residents on Sept. 7 in a forested area of Agimuga district in Mimika regency.
“Initially, the residents did not know who the victim was. We then conducted an investigation and confirmed that she was one of the victims abducted on Independence Day,” Yusuf said on Monday (Sept 14).
According to Yusuf, Demerina was found alongside the body of 18-year-old Yosina Stenawatme, who had died of starvation. The two had fled their captors and travelled through the forest for about 20 days without food or water.
Demerina was found in a weakened condition and given initial treatment by residents of Bela village in Alama district.
On Monday police evacuated her from the village and took her to Bhayangkara Hospital in Timika, the capital of Mimika regency, for medical examinations and treatment, Yusuf said.
“We took her to Bhayangkara Hospital in Timika for a health examination and to provide medication to help restore her physical condition. She is now in recovery,” Yusuf said.
He added that police had been preparing the evacuation for four days, but earlier attempts were thwarted by bad weather in the mountainous area. Yusuf said Demerina remained in a state of shock and was not yet able to give a statement to police.
“Demerina is not yet able to provide information because she is still deeply traumatised. She may have witnessed Yosina die beside her,” he said. Yosina’s body has been buried according to local customary traditions by residents of Bela village, Yusuf said.
Demerina, Yosina and seven other women and children were abducted by Free Papua Movement rebels from their homes in Jila district on Aug. 17, according to the Indonesian Military (TNI).
Jila is a remote, mountainous district about 90 kilometres from Timika. Located at an elevation of around 2,800 metres above sea level, it has limited road access and can be reached from Timika only by small aircraft or helicopter.
The area has seen recurring clashes between TNI personnel and OPM-affiliated groups in recent years. Mimika Military District Commander Lt. Col. Jozanda said last month, the incident began when members of the armed separatist group allegedly attacked an Army post and the Jila Military Subdistrict Command (Koramil) on Independence Day.
The attackers allegedly shot and killed one soldier and wounded two others during the assault, Jozanda said. Security forces returned fire, forcing the armed group to retreat.
As they fled toward a forested area, the rebels allegedly abducted nine local women and children along the way. Jozanda said that during the abduction, OPM rebels allegedly shot and killed a local woman who tried to prevent her daughter from being taken. Another mother was allegedly pushed into a ravine but survived with broken bones.
Yusuf said security forces would continue efforts to rescue the seven victims who remain in captivity: Alin Mesawarol, a sixth-grade student, Miante Nibilingame, 13, Nopi Aim, a fourth-grade student, Opinte Mesawaro, a third-grade student, Meria Nibilingame, 15, Wena Katagame, 18 and Ilimin Onawame, 18.
“We urge people in Timika and surrounding areas to remain calm. We will continue efforts to evacuate the remaining victims,” Yusuf said. He urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of the seven victims to report it immediately to security forces or other authorities.
He also urged residents not to attempt to rescue the victims themselves, saying such actions could put the lives of the hostages and other civilians at risk. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
