TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian law enforcement claims to have arrested the supplier of firearms and ammunition for the armed criminal groups in the Papua highlands. The team tasked with handling security issues in the region – the Cartenz peace taskforce – revealed that the perpetrator was the head of the Kenyam District in the Nduga Regency.

Cartenz task force commander Faizal Rahmadani revealed that the arrest initially took place in early April. “The arrest was made in April and [the suspect] is being investigated deeper,” said Faizal on Thursday, May 4, 2023, as reported by state news agency Antara.

The district head in question is identified as MM (37), who was also investigated for indications of funding the armed criminal group in the region of Nduga.

Law enforcers also arrested 31 people allegedly involved in the armed criminal group which is believed to pose dangers to locals in the highlands. This specific area is suspected to be the main headquarters for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), which is the military wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).

The Cartenz peace task force in Papua confiscated 13 various types of firearms and 710 ammunition from various calibers. Authorities also confiscated non-firearm weapons, cellular phones, radios, walkie-talkies, and the separatist flag.

ANTARA

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