ights groups have condemned a recent shootout between security forces and Papuan separatists in Intan Jaya regency, Papua, that killed a child and wounded another, and they have called on the government to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The shootout between state security forces and members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) –the armed wing of Free Papua Movement (OPM) – occurred in Sugapa district, Intan Jaya regency, on Oct. 26.
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. AM Kamal said in a statement on Oct. 28 that the separatists had shot the two children.
“During the shootout, the two children and their parents were outside of their houses and were targeted by armed criminal groups,” Kamal said in a statement on Oct. 28, as reported by kompas.com.
TNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, meanwhile, asserted in a statement on Monday that the children were shot by members of the Indonesian Military (TNI).
Kamal said the two children were hit by bullet fragments during the shootout. One of the victims, a 2-year-old, was wounded in the stomach and failed to receive emergency treatment at a nearby community health center (Puskesmas) because no medical workers were available. The child died of the wound.
The other victim, a 6-year-old, was being treated at a hospital, local sources said, as quoted by rights group Amnesty International Indonesia.
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