Indonesian Armed Forces Sent to Quell Tribal Clash in Papua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Armed Forces, TNI, has sent two company-level units (SSK) from Kodim 1702 and Yonif 756/WMS to assist the Jayawijaya Police, to reduce clashes between residents in the Papuan regency.

Commander of the 1702/Jayawijaya Military District, Lt. Col, Inf. Budi Arif Situmeang, said that the TNI soldiers were deployed to the Wouma District to defuse, isolate, and dispel mass groups, and prevent the ethnic clashes from spreading to other districts in Jayawijaya.

Budi Arif said that clashes occurred between two community groups from the Lanny Jaya Tribe and the Nduga Tribe in Wouma District. The opposing groups fought using traditional war weapons.

A clash on Saturday, January 8, resulted in the death of one person while 22 were injured and 35 houses were burned to the grounds.

Budi Arif said that the clash was triggered by the alleged murder of a Nduga resident, Yonas Kelnea (48), allegedly by a member of the Lanny Jaya tribe.

"The victim was allegedly killed because of family problems," Budi Arif said in his statement, Monday, January 10.

He said that on Sunday noon, January 9, another clash broke, but the TNI and the police managed to disband the crowd.

Authorities initiated a meeting on Sunday night with Jayawijaya Regent Jhon Richard Banua and Lanny Jaya Regent Befa Jigibalom. The discussed how to anticipate and prevent the following clashes, and how to resolve the issue thoroughly and thoroughly.

Read: Police, TNI Discuss New Approach to Papua Conflict Resolution

ANTARA