by West Papua Media team
September 25, 2013
West Papua Media (WPM) stringers have received credible disturbing reports of a major escalation in Indonesian police operations against civilians in the Waghete, outside Enarotali in Paniai, resulting in the shooting of three civilians and the death of one.
According to local witnesses, speaking to WPM by telephone on condition of anonymity, the operations in Waghete occurred on Monday, September 23, with house to house sweeps by hundreds of heavily armed Brimob, looking for any supporters of Papuan independence, and confiscating mobile phones searching for Papuan pro-independence songs and music, and searching for nukens (dillybags) with any image of the banned Morning Star Flag.
During Monday night’s raids, all Papuan men with long hair, long beards or dreadlocks were allegedly ordered at gunpoint by Brimob officers to cut their hair or beards on the spot or they would be shot dead. Long hair or beards are stigmatised by Indonesian occupation forces as an indicator of pro-independence activities, and “offenders” are summarily punished regularly in Paniai for their hairstyles, according to local human rights workers, and previous investigations by WPM.
These sweeps have been a weekly occurrence since Operation Matoa began in late 2011, putting the Paniai regency in a unofficial war zone in a bid to wipe out armed and then nonviolent civilian resistance to Indonesian occupation. West Papua Media reported in December 2011 on the ruthless Operation Matoa which was launched across the region to destroy the TPN forces of Jhon Yogi – resulting in the displacement of over 14,000 people, almost 150 villages burnt down and the failure of basic services that is still ongoing.
These latest sweeps, local human rights workers who visited Enarotali told WPM, are an extension of Operation Matoa, but Indonesian security forces have openly told sweep targets that nothing less than total loyalty to Indonesian security forces will be tolerated. Extreme state violence is justified by security forces, to make an example of anyone who questions Indonesian rule, according to the human rights sources.
Local sources have also reported to WPM that a large number of security forces have amassed around Enaratoli together with several companies of the notorious 753 Battalion of Indonesian army (TNI). Local residents are preparing to survive another arbitrary military offensive against civilians, according to the sources.
Related articles
- Indonesian police open fire on civilians in West Papua (theguardian.com)
- Violent Occured In Deiyai , A Citizens Dead Shoted by Police Force (witnesseshometownwpng.wordpress.com)
- Brimob officer shoots dead mentally ill teenager in Wamena, beat witnesses (westpapuamedia.info)
- Bobii: The Creation of New Regions in Papua – A Blessing or Disaster? (westpapuamedia.info)
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Hat dies auf GO OKA WEMOHA(WE) rebloggt.
We did this to the indigenous inhabitants of Australia during colonization due to greed, fear and misunderstanding. The English did it to the Scots and the Irish, Hitler did it to the Jews and the list in History is endless. Australians now have to live with shame and regret for the deeds of our not so distant forebears and it is testemony to the deep spirituality and intelligence of our indigenous people that they have been so prepared to forgive if not to forget. Indonesia, Learn from history – we ought to be wiser now – do not do this to a beautiful, peaceful people who are only trying to protect their homeland, their families and their way of life. Get used to diversity and do not always put your economic interests before the interests of people. If you do not want to grant independence to West Papua which would probably be the ideal thing, at least tread lightly as colonists and consult the indigenous population about your plans to develop their land so that it is done in ways which also benefit them and minimises destruction of their environment.
so true Susan Barnes