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View all search resultsDeadly Puncak clash reignites calls for peace, dialogue in Papua
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A police officer speaks with protesters opposing violence in Papua on April 27 in Jayapura, Papua. Jayapura Police deployed 1,200 joint personnel from the police and military to secure the protest. (Antara/Gusti Tanati)
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alls for peace and an end to military operations in Papua are intensifying after a deadly shootout in Puncak regency, Central Papua, left 15 civilians dead, triggering protests across multiple cities in the region and renewed scrutiny from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Protesters under the Papua Student Solidarity group staged a rally in front of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) office in Jayapura, Papua on Monday, demanding an immediate halt to security operations they say have increasingly endangered civilians.
“We strongly condemn acts of violence committed by the military against civilians in Puncak regency and call for an end to the use of military approach in operations,” protesters coordinator Darki Uropmabin said during the rally, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Similar rallies were also held in other cities, including Nabire in West Papua and Wamena in Highland Papua, with local reports noting clashes between police and protesters.
The protests followed a series of violent incidents in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces that have been linked to the Indonesian Military (TNI) operations against the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
The most serious incident occurred in Kembru district, Puncak, on April 14, where a shootout left 15 civilians dead, injured dozens and forced hundreds of residents to flee their villages. In response, the Puncak administration declared a two-week emergency status starting April 16.
Read also: Rights body suspects soldiers behind killing of civilians in Papua
