Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto ruled
out a military operation to tackle the escalating violence, which claimed
another two lives in Mimika on Monday.
“We have so far adopted an approach that promotes the economy and people’s
welfare, not a military [approach], because military action should only be used
to deal with crimes,” Djoko said as quoted by Antara news agency during a
gathering with community figures, religious leaders and members of the Papua
Legislative Council (DPRP) and Papuan Consultative Assembly (MPRP) in Jayapura
on Monday.
He was accompanied by Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm.
Agus Suhartono, National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, National Intelligence
Agency (BIN) head Lt. Gen. Marciano, and Papua’s caretaker governor Syamsul
Arief Rivai.
The arrival of the top-ranking delegation was reported in
the wake of escalating violence that has claimed dozens of lives. Djoko,
however, insisted that it was a routine tour of duty, and not specifically
prompted by the ongoing security challenges in the province.
The latest
communal clash in Mimika, Papua on Monday killed two people and injured dozens
of others, including four police personnel.
The clash reportedly had its
roots in ongoing resentment following a fatal traffic accident in
May.
“The clash [on Monday] killed two people, but they have not yet been
identified. Four police officers were rushed to hospital with arrow wounds,”
Papua Police spokesman, Adj. Sn. Comr. Johanes Nugroho, told The Jakarta
Post.
The fighting crowds also burned five Mimika Police vehicles and two
motorcycles.
It was reported that the clash between the residents from
Harapan and Bawah villages began at 7:30 a.m. The police were called in to deal
with the situation but received a rough reception as the crowd turned on them,
despite their firing warning shots into the air.
As the police retreated,
the crowd vented their fury upon the vehicles and motorcycles.
The
incident is the latest in a spate of violent attacks that have battered the
country’s easternmost province over the past few weeks, including unsolved
shooting deaths and riots in Jayapura and a rampage by military personnel in
Wamena.
The marked escalation in violence has prompted the House of
Representatives to establish a working committee to deal with the
issue.
“We need to form a working committee and we are discussing what
measures we need to take. For sure, the committee must seek an amiable and
dignified solution. Weapons should be avoided in order to restore security; so,
we are prioritizing dialogue and trust building,” said TB Hasanuddin, who chairs
the House Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs.
“We met
with the chief of the military and he said they were awaiting instructions,” he
said in Jakarta on Monday.
He quoted the military chief as saying
further: “If we are asked to launch a security operation, give us the legal as
well as political umbrella so that we do not bear the brunt of the
blame.”
Hasanuddin said the effectiveness of the policy to form a
committee would depend on the government’s political will to execute the
measures.
Violent cases
2007-2012:
Oct. 17, 2007
Eight people
are killed and 19 injured in violence involving four tribes in Tembagapura
district, Mimika.
March 11, 2007
Tribal violence in
Paniai regency kills nine people. The violence is sparked by the death of a
local teacher.
Jan. 5-19, 2010
Three people are
killed and 34 people injured in a clash between two groups in Kwamki Lama,
Mimika regency. The conflict is sparked by a rape and the payment of customary
fines.
July 30, 2011
Seventeen people die and dozens
are injured when the supporters of rival candidates in a local regency election
clash in Ilaga district, Puncak Jaya regency.
Jan. 21,
2012
One person dies in a regional election clash during campaigning
for a local regency election in Tolikara regency.
Feb. 15,
2012
Four die and almost 100 others are injured as supporters of
rival candidates in the Tolikara regency election clash.
