TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police Chief Insp. Gen. Gatot Eddy Pramono assured the safety of Papuan people living in the capital city and its vicinity areas. A prominent Papuan figure in Jakarta Greater Area, Febiolla Irriana, said the assurance brought a sense of serenity.

“[Papuan] people fear to run activities then, but now has no more worry, we can go back home, do activities [as normal],” said Febi when met at Jakarta Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, Monday, August 20.

The safety assurance was conveyed during a meeting with representatives of Papuan people throughout Jakarta Greater Area on the late night of Monday as a preventive measure following the riot in Manokwari, West Papua.

Gatot appealed to the public to not discriminate Papuan people and underlined that they are also the nation’s children who have rights to live together peacefully.

“Jakarta Metro Police along with Indonesian Military (TNI) will guarantee the security [for them], either to work, school, or other activities,” Gatot said.

The riot broke out on Monday, August 19, caused severe damage to several public facilities, including the building of West Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) that was fired by the mob.

The incident allegedly resulted from the public protest in Manokwari against the persecution acts committed by security officers toward Papuan university students in Surabaya and Malang on August 15 and 17.

Febi hoped intimidation act toward Papuan as happened in Surabaya would not occur in Jakarta. “Other organizations should not create a provocation, and the police should take firm action against those stirring up conflict. Stop racism in any form,” she underlined.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH