TNI Chief Hadi Tjahjanto to Visit Wamena, Papua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several ministers have planned to pay a visit to riot-inflicted Wamena in Papua Province on Monday to outline steps for the comprehensive restoration of security and stability.

Chief of the National Defense Forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed his visit to Wamena along with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto and Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian.

Social Affairs Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, and Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono will also visit Wamena.

"After Oct. 7, God willing, we will go there to find ways to create security and stability as desired," Tjahjanto remarked after attending an event to commemorate TNI's 74th anniversary held at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in East Jakarta on Saturday.

Citing data, he pointed to the overriding consensus among most native Papuans that non-native Papuan residents should continue to stay in Wamena, Ilaga, and Oksibil, Papua.

"Many native Papuans do not want non-native Papuans to return (to their hometowns)," he stated.

Deadly riots erupted in Wamena during a rally that native Papuan students had staged on September 23.

Some 33 people, including a medical doctor, were killed, while at least 77 others sustained injuries in the riot that also compelled several thousand residents, mostly non-native Papuans, to take shelter in the local military and police compounds.

The dead and wounded comprised non-native Papuans, who were assaulted by rioters brandishing machetes and arrows. Several of them had migrated to Papua from their hometowns in provinces, such as West Sumatra and South Sulawesi, to earn a living.

ANTARA