Police: No Additional Personnel in West Papua Ahead of OPM Day
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25 November 2019 20:39 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Papua Police Chief Brig. Gen. Herry Rudolf Nahak assured there would be no additional personnel stationed in the region nearing the commemoration of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) on December 1.
According to him, security measures have been bolstered in West Papua areas that are prone to possible conflicts since August, as thousands of joint-security personnel have been stationed in the areas.
“There will be no additional members as the areas have already been reinforced. We are confident with the current West Papua Police personnel and their additional members,” said the police chief.
He later called on local residents to avert provocation regarding the OPM commemoration and appealed to the public in general to keep calm.
Separately, West Papuan human rights activist Yan Christian Warinussy asked the Indonesian government and the authorities not to stigmatize the December 1 commemoration in Papua.
“I remind the Indonesian government and the authorities. Don’t label December 1st in a negative light as it is a historic day for indigenous Papuans,” said Yan.
HANS ARNOLD KAPISA (CONTRIBUTOR)
