TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Police Watch said that the clash between the military and police officers in Mamberamo, Papua, was started from the dispute regarding the rental of motorcycles.

“Based on the chronology report received by IPW, the clash starts from the rental of a motorcycle,” said IPW presidium head Neta S. Pane to Tempo on Monday, April 13.

Neta elaborated that a member of Mamberamo Raya Police rented a motorcycle from a local motorcycle taxi (ojek) for Rp50,000 per hour. Yet the policeman only paid Rp50,000 after using it for three hours. “A dispute then escalated between the ojek driver and the policeman,” said Neta.

Military personnel of the Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 755 task force that is located near the ojek post tried to break them up which led to a clash between police and military officers. The policeman then reported the dispute to his colleagues in the Mamberamo Police headquarters.

Acknowledging the fact, Mamberamo Police Chief demanded his members to do nothing. But the call was ignored. Several police officers visited the Yonif 755 task force post, and so the shootings broke out, killing three police members.

Papua Police spokesman Comr. Anton Ampang confirmed that the incident occurred in Jalan Pemda I, Kasonaweja Village, Mamberamo Raya District, on April 12, at 7:40 local times. He said the clash was caused by a misunderstanding.

Three policemen who died were First Police Brigadier (Briptu) Marcelino Rumaikewi, Briptu Alexander Ndun, and Police Chief Brigadier (Bripka) Bripda Yosias. Two other policemen sustained injuries, namely Bripka Alva Titaley and Police Brigadier (Brigpol) Robert Marien.

The injured officers were being treated in Kawera Mamberamo Jaya Hospital, while the dead were flown to Jayapura for autopsy in Bhayangkara Jayapura Hospital.

Following the clash, Papua Police Chief and Cendrawasih Military Commander established a joint team to investigate the incident’s causes. The investigation was still afoot. “The condition has returned to normal after the incident,” Anton said.

M ROSSENO AJI