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Time 'to get tough' on Papua rebels, says Vice President
The Vice President's office has released a statement saying it is time for the security authorities in Papua "to get tough in going after separatist rebels" in the restive region, regardless of signals from the group that it is willing to enter into dialogue.
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Vice President Ma'ruf Amin speaks during a virtual ceremony on Oct. 2, 2020 to mark the 58th anniversary of the University of Mataram. (Courtesy of Vice Presidential Press Bureau/--)
V
ice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police to step up security operations in Papua following the death of a soldier in an attack by armed rebels during a mission to free New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Office of the Vice President said that security authorities in Papua needed "to get tough" on separatist rebels while at the same time, instructing them to continue protecting civilians in the restive region.
"The Vice President maintains that this is the time to get tough in going after separatist rebels in a precise way so that it does not disrupt civilian activities," Ma'ruf's spokesperson Masduki Baidowi said.
Separatist rebels in Papua on Sunday claimed they had killed nine Army personnel the previous day, after the government did not respond to a request for negotiations.
The military stated meanwhile that one soldier was killed during the attack on Saturday.
The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) abducted Mehrtens in February, initially demanding that Jakarta recognize the region’s independence. Earlier this month, however, the group indicated that it was prepared to drop that demand and instead seek dialogue.
The rebels claimed that they were retaliating for an attack on March 23 against civilians by TNI soldiers and police officers with the fighting that continued through Sunday.
