KNPB : Senior army and police officers bear responsibility for recent killings in Puncak Jaya

Ones Suhuniap

The secretary of the KNPB – National Committee for West Papua -, Ones Suhuniap has said that the governor of Papua, the chief of police and the commander of  XVII Cenderawasih Military Command must all be held responsible for  the mysterious killings that occurred in Puncak Jaya during the month of April.

‘Mysterious disappearances and murders have again been happening in Puncak Jaya. Thirty people have disappeared. Eleven have been found of whom two were already dead. They also included two women and an SMA school pupil who had been raped. Two children ran away and were drowned in Yamo Canal.”

The KNPB said that these senior officials must accept responsibility for the mysterious killings that have been occurring in Puncak Jaya and should do everything possible to find out who was responsible for these crimes
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The KNPB also called on the president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to immediately withdraw all troops, organic as well non-organic from  Puncak Jaya.

A senior officer of the Cenderawasih military command, Lieut-Colonel  Jansen Simandjuntak, was asked to confirm this report. In response he said: “Who committed those murders? I think we need firm evidence  when accusing the TNI – the Indonesian Army – for being responsible for these murders.’”

He went on to say that if the bodies have been found, it is the duty of the police to carry out the investigation. He said that in cases that occurred in Wamena and Oksibil a short while ago, military officers were involved and the case had been taken to court. If need be, the men will be dismissed, he said.

“Two weeks ago, the military commander set up an investigation team for the Puncak Jaya case, but after investigation, it was decided that no TNI officer was involved.

Finally he said that if anyone feels dissatisfied with the results of these internal TNI investigations, his men will investigate the matter more thoroughly.