Two civilians from the Kamoro tribe, Herman Mairimau and Yulianus Okoware, who were allegedly shot by soldiers, have been buried in public cemetery TPU SP-4 Timika after a Requiem Mass led by Catholic priest Amandus Rahaded Pr at St
wo civilians from the Kamoro tribe, Herman Mairimau and Yulianus Okoware, who were allegedly shot by soldiers, have been buried in public cemetery TPU SP-4 Timika after a Requiem Mass led by Catholic priest Amandus Rahaded Pr at St. Fransiskus Koprapoka Church in Timika, Mimika, Papua, on Sunday.
Police and military officials, including Military Resort Command (Danrem) 174/AWT commander Brig. Gen. Supartodi, Papua Police Monitoring Inspectorate chief Sr. Comr. Petrus Waine, Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cendrawasih deputy commander Lt. Col. Ayub Akbar, Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yustanto Mujiharso, Military District Command (Dandim) 1710/Mimika commander Lt. Col. Andi Koswara and the Mimika administration's regional secretary, Ausilius You, attended the burial.
'The Mass ran smoothly and safely. The burial procession also ran peacefully. The victims' families urged security authorities to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice in line with prevailing laws,' Santon Tekege of the Timika Diocese told thejakartapost. com on Sunday.
Danrem 174 commander Supartodi said the Army had covered all burial costs. It is also covering the medical costs of those injured in the incident, he added.
Timika Bishop John Saklil condemned the shooting of the civilians.
'The Catholic church condemns all violent acts, especially those resulting in fatalities. There is no justification for such violent acts because any incident that leads to a loss of life, especially those involving representatives of state institutions, must be brought to justice,' John said in a press statement.
The two civilians were reportedly shot dead by two soldiers, Chief Pvt. Makher and First Pvt. Ashar, who were intoxicated when they arrived at a party held by the Kamoro tribe early on Friday. The party was being held to honor Leonardus Tumuka, a Kamoro tribesman, who obtained a doctorate degree from a Philippine university.
Kodam XVII/Cendrawasih commander Maj. Gen. Hinsa Siburian apologized to the families of the victims, the Kamoro and all Timika residents for the incident.
'[. . . ] there will be legal procedures against the perpetrators. Military tribunals will be organized to hear the charges against the perpetrators,' said Hinsa. (ebf)
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