TPN/OPM warned of deadline for return of two weapons

Bintang Papua, 6 September 2011

The executive committee of the Synod of the KINGMI Church in the Land of
Papua has responded to the threat issued by the police force in Paniai
that failure to hand back two firearms by the end of Wednesday, 7
September would mean that the police will launch hunt and search
operations against the TPN/OPM led by John Yogi.

According to the KINGMI Church, these search operations against John
Yogi who is alleged to have seized the weapons, could result in possibly
hundreds or even thousands of casualties of innocent people among the
civilian population, said Dr Benny Giay.

The deputy chairman of the Papuan branch of the National Human Rights
Commission, Matius Murib, also had a meeting with Ruben Magai, the
chairman of commission A of the DPRP about the issue.

Dr Benny Giay of the KINGMI Church called on Commission A of the DPRP to
provide the opportunity for local leaders and churches to hold
discussions with John Yogi and his comrades. The reason for doing so was
that, according to reports from local communities in Paniai, everyday
life in Paniai has been paralysed and many local inhabitants have fled
their villages in a state of trauma, havng heard about the forthcoming
operations against the TPN/OPM. 'We call upon Commission A and the chief
of police to do everything possible to prevent casualties among the
civilian population,' he said.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Albert Kesya, said that plans to launch search
operations against the TPN/OPM had been made public at a time when the
congregation were involved in Spiritual Camping in Madi Kampung,
Enaro,sub-district of Paniai. on 26 July. which is not far from the
location where the headquarters of the TPN/OPM is believed to be based.
Even so, Brimob forces in Panai had attacked and seized many things,
including thousands of bullets (the figure given in the article is
40,000), Rp 50 million, twelve hand phones, ten bows and arrows, and a
Yamaha motorbike.

Deputy chairman of the National Human Rights Commission in Papua, Matius
Murib, said the government and the security forces need to pay attention
to three things. There can be no justification for anyone among the
authorities or the population to use violence and cause casualties
among the population. 'Such actions,' he said, 'were rejected by human
rights organisations around the world, bearing in mind that Indonesia
has ratified covenants against the use of violence. and the loss of
lives. Secondly, the local population needs to hold negotiations with
the TPN/OPM. Whatever the situation, people like John Yogi and his
group can be expected to listen and to understand.'

'There is no need to set a deadline for the launching of operations.
Weapons belonging to the state should be in the hands of the state.
There can be no justification for launching search operations against
the TNP/OPM. There are weapons in the hands of many groups. And there
are many weapons in the hands of people who are not authorised to hold
weapons.'

'People cannot be allowed to do things that will result in victims
falling among the civilian population.' He said that some people can be
expected to use weapons as a bargaining point to achieve certain
objectives, but trying to force people to return weapons will never
solve the problems.'

Ruben Magai, chairman of Commission A of the DPRP in Papua, called on
the chief of police in Papua to use social means, not military means,
because the latter will only traumatise the people and make them very
afraid.

ENDS

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