Protest against Papua Division Turns Chaotic; One Policeman Injured

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The student demonstration against the expansion of the Papua province staged in front of the Home Affairs Ministry’s building this afternoon was marred by chaos. One police officer was injured.

Sawah Besar Police Chief Comr. Maulana Mukarom confirmed that one police officer, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ferikson, who served as the Head of Intelligence of the Central Jakarta Police, was injured during the protest.

“The Central Jakarta Police Intelligence Head became a victim of beatings by student protesters,” said Maulana when contacted Friday, March 11.

According to him, Ferikson suffered an injury in the head and has received medical treatment.

The police arrested a number of Papuan students in the demonstration this afternoon. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Endra Zulpan, however, stopped short of detailing the number of arrested students.

The rally was held by students opposing the government’s plan on the division of Papua Province into six administrative regions, viz. Southwest Papua, West Papua, Central Papua, Central Mountains, South Papua, and Papua Tabi Saireri.

The expansion plan refers to the Special Autonomy Law No. 2 of 2021. The government claimed the expansion can accelerate development equity, improve public services and public welfare, and raising the dignity of the Papuan people.

Read: Papua Liberation Group Admits Shooting 8 Workers in Ilaga 

HAMDAN CHOLIFUDIN ISMAIL