Security forces, in the form of nonorganic troops, took forceful legal action against the leaders of Kemah Injil Church (Kingmi) in Papua in the evening on that date. They forced their way into the church and its offices and then arrested, interrogated and mistreated pastor Zakeus Tabuni, the head of the Kingmi Papua classis in the regency capital Kenyam district.

They also mistreated pastors Lazarus Elopere and Natanael Tabuni as well as several other church leaders, who were detained by the Nduga Police over suspicions that they were supporting the armed separatist group led by Egianus Kogoya.

The police believe that the church leaders serve as informants of the rebel group and also provide logistical support.

For many, especially those outside of Papua, these law enforcement measures have created a perception that the Kingmi Church in Kenyam is a major supporter of the separatist movement.

The raid and the church leaders’ arrests have exacerbated and complicated the efforts to resolve the armed conflict and violence in the regency, known as a stronghold of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and its armed wing. Nduga has also come under the international spotlight, as Egianus has held Susi Air’s New Zealander pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens hostage in the regency’s jungles since February.

Negotiation for Mehrtens’ release is ongoing, and Kingmi Church has been playing a mediatory role by communicating directly with Egianus, but the arrest of its leaders has made it difficult for the negotiation to bear fruit.