T

he improper implementation of policy and lack of attention to security-related problems in Papua are said to be the root causes of the ongoing separatist movements in the region.

Recent incidents in the province include the shooting of two police officers in Lanny Jaya by an armed civilian group led by Enden Wanimbo and the arrest of 21 civilians over their suspected affiliation with the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM).

'€œSeparatist movements are continuing their efforts in the region,'€ chairman of the Jayapura'€™s Fajar Timur School of Theology and Philosophy (STFT), Priest Neles Tebay, said on Tuesday.

He said actions representing separatism could manifest in different forms, ranging from shootings, flag raising to rallies.

He suggested that opposing parties should sit down together and resolve their differences. Unfortunately, this has not been done.

'€œThe government tries to settle the problems in its own ways, using different approaches such as economic and legal, but these methods have failed to put a stop to or eliminate acts of insurgence. At the same time, the other side feels that the root of their real problems were never touched,'€ Neles said.

According to Neles, the root of the problems in Papua is the political status of the province. The government says the problem has been resolved but Papuans think otherwise, which is why acts of insurgence continue to take place.

Separately, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance for Papua (ALDP), Latifah Anum Siregar, said that acts of insurgence were not merely committed on account of ideology but also because of the interests of both the local elite and local politics.

Providing examples, Latifah said legislative or regional elections could eventually lead to the formation of separatist movements due to dissatisfied candidates and parties.

She added that no matter what Papuans did, including voicing their aspiration for freedom, their actions would be seen as acts of separatism.

According to Latifah, local administrations in Papua could put an end to acts of separatism by properly addressing the problems that trigger the acts.

In a related development, the Jayapura Police have named one of the 21 civilians arrested over the weekend for their alleged affiliation with OPM a suspect for illegal weapon ownership.

Zeth Demotokai was considered to have violated Law No 12/1951 on guns and is currently being detained at the Jayapura Police headquarters.

'€œHe was named a suspect because he had projectiles, anti-tank rockets, four dumdum bullets and an AK rifle,'€ Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said in Jayapura on Tuesday.

'€œThe others are still being examined intensively.'€

The 21 civilians were arrested after taking part in the inauguration of new members of the National Liberation Army for West Papua (TPN PB) headed by Terianus Sato, the group'€™s local leader.