T

he Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) has called for a full investigation into a fatal shooting implicating police personnel in Deiyai regency, Papua, on Tuesday.

Yulius Pigai, a civilian, died in the incident, while 13 other people sustained injuries.

Kontras coordinator Yati Andriyani said that three days after the incident, the commission had yet to see concrete steps by the authorities to summon all parties suspected of involvement in the shooting.

There is concern that such negligence could trigger a much larger conflict, she added.

“We are calling on the Papua Police chief [Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar] to carry out a fair and transparent investigation into the shooting, including on the alleged misuse of firearms in the incident,” Yati said in a statement on Thursday.

Together with the Papua Police chief, the activist said, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian had to evaluate police personnel with regard to the use of weapons, given the rampant use of firearms by security personnel in Papua in recent years, which caused civilian casualties.

Yati added that external monitoring agencies, such as the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) and the Indonesian Ombudsman had to use their respective authority to ensure an accountable settlement in the case.

“Komnas HAM in particular must carry out an investigation to find out whether there have been rights violations in the case,” said Yati.

Tigi resident Yulius, 28, died when police tried to disperse an angry crowd that had destroyed a construction camp of PT Putra Dewa Paniai, which is building a bridge across the Oneibo River. Yulius was found with several gunshot wounds.

Separately, Boy Rafli deplored the incident. “We, the Papua Police, would like to convey our sincere apologies over the incident that occurred in Oneibo village, Tigi district, Deiyai regency, especially to the families of all the people affected by the officers’ shooting,” said the Papua Police chief after a call for readiness ceremony ahead of the Jayapura regency repeated election in Sentani, Jayapura, on Thursday.

Boy Rafli said police had dispatched an investigation team led by the police’s Internal Affairs Division head Sr. Comr. Jannus P. Siregar to Deiyai to work with a Komnas HAM team, which was also carrying out an investigation. The police had seized all the weapons used by security personnel in the incident.

“An investigation team is working now, and seven National Police and Mobile Brigade members are being investigated. All weapons they used in the incident have been withdrawn,” said Boy Rafli. “The team will also investigate people who witnessed the incident. Hence, it is hoped they can be cooperative and open to make it easier for the investigation team to get accurate and trustworthy information,” he went on.

Papua Legislative Council member Elvis Tabuni said the shooting would not have happened if there had been good communication among local residents, Brimob personnel and the company. Companies operating in the area should pay attention to social responsibility, not only seek profits, he added.

“Any companies operating there must prioritize the people instead of only pursuing projects and money. The police and Brimob personnel should be able to use conducive ways to solve problems with the people, not straightway shoot them,” said Elvis.