The government is moving to counter the threat of violence from armed groups ahead of next year’s regional elections in Papua.

The moves come on the heels of a series of shootings around the mining site of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Tembagapura, Mimika regency, in the central highlands, with six incidents reported since August.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto invited on Thursday security officials from Papua to discuss the recent shootings, which he described as “escalating,” as well as the efforts to ensure security in the province where elections for governor and seven district heads will be held in June 2018.

“It’s our responsibility to address criminal armed groups so they no longer disturb the public or threaten security, particularly since the local elections are nearing,” Wiranto said.

The government, he added, would be watchful for the possibility that the recent attacks were aimed at disrupting the preparations for the upcoming regional elections.

The latest incident in Mimika occurred on Sunday, when a group of unidentified gunmen fired at a police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) post at Mile 66. The police subsequently issued the highest security alert in response to the rise in attacks.

Last week, Brimob officer First. Brig. Berry Pramana Putra was killed in a shoot-out with unidentified gunmen on Utikini Bridge in Mimika while he, along with other personnel, was pursuing a group of armed assailants suspected of being behind the shooting incidents in the area around PTIF in the recent months.

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