Indonesian Military on Alert as Conflict in West Papua Rises
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19 August 2019 10:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel are on alert following the increasing tension in Manokwari, West Papua. TNI’s Kasuari Kodam XVIII Lt. Col. Andi Gus Wulandri said the TNI Commander had ordered them to stand guard.
"We have been ordered to stay alert. The Kodam is on standby,“ Andi said via a phone call on Monday, August 18.
Andi suspected the riot in the eastern part of Indonesia was the impact of the violence against Papuan students in Malang and Surabaya.
Previously, on the commemoration of Indonesian Independence Day on Saturday, August 17, TNI and Police Public Order conducted a raid on Papuan student dormitory on Jalan Kalasan Number 10, Pacar Keling, Surabaya City, East Java. As many as 43 students were taken to the Surabaya Police Station.
The raid was allegedly triggered by a misunderstanding following the Indonesian flag belonged to Surabaya administration office fell in front of the dormitory.
Meanwhile in Malang, there was a clash between the police and Papuan students who staged a demonstration on August 15.
At present, a Twitter post suggested that the Papua Legislative Council (DPRD) in West Papua caught fire allegedly set by a group of people this morning. Andi also confirmed the incident. “It is reported so,” he said.
FIKRI ARIGI
