Papua Police Chief; Don't politicize the existence of TNI-Polri in Nduga

Papua Police Chief; Don't politicize the existence of TNI-Polri in Nduga

Deputy Regent Nduga Wentius Namiangge threatened to resort to political asylum if the central government did not withdraw non-organic troops. He also asked for clarity in handling the Nduga refugees.

"I will wait 12 months, if the central government does not want to hear anymore to withdraw members of the TNI-Polri, I will carry out political asylum," Wentius said in Kenyam, Nduga Regency, Papua, Monday (24/2).

Wentius claimed to have met with TNI-Polri officials and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD to coordinate. However, he said, there has been no seriousness from the central government in resolving the problem in Nduga.

Papua Regional Secretary Hery Dosinaen regrets the threat of Deputy Regent of Nduga. Wentius is considered to have neglected his responsibilities as a state official. It immediately called Wentius to clarify the threat.

Responding to the chatter of Deputy Regent of Wentius, Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw asserted that TNI-Polri personnel in Nduga, Papua Province, would not be withdrawn from his territory. The reason is, there are still armed groups in the region.

The presence of non-organic TNI-Polri personnel in Nduga as a result of the 2 December 2018 incident that killed 17 employees of PT Istaka Karya. Until now, the fate of four other people is still unknown.

The Papua Regional Police Head emphasized that the presence of security forces in Nduga Regency was solely for law enforcement, bearing in mind that armed groups there often attacked civilians and TNI-Polri personnel.

On Wednesday (26/2) there was another shootout with an armed criminal group (KKB) which left one Brimob member injured.

"With the shooting contact incident causing our members to be injured, what troops must be withdrawn and what guarantees are given by the local government," said Paulus.

After the situation was conducive, the community reported that two residents had been shot. Allegedly both were hit by stray bullets.

In response to the insistence of the Deputy Regent of Nduga that the non-organic security apparatus be withdrawn, the former North Sumatra Police Chief instead asked back where the Nduga Regency Government had so far because armed groups continued to attack the security forces.

"Don't politicize the presence of the TNI-Polri in Nduga because the victims are also security forces," the Kapolda said.