Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Alert 2,784 Soldiers In Papua Mountains

JAYAPURA - Commander of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Major General TNI Izak Pangemanan, said the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command alerted 2,784 soldiers for security during the 2024 General Election in Papua Mountains.

Thousands of soldiers who were alerted will later be at BKO to help the police secure the implementation of the election.

In addition, Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih also alerted soldiers from the 751/Raider Infantry Battalion who could be deployed at any time to areas that needed it.

"Infantri Battalion 751/Raider personnel will be used as reserves so that they will be shifted to areas that require additional strengthening," said Izak, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 10.

The soldiers who were deployed to secure the implementation of elections in the Papua Mountains Province came from the assignment battalion which is currently serving in various regions.

For example, he said, the 721/Makkasau Infantry Battalion is currently on duty in Lanny Jaya Regency and the 7th Marine Infantry Battalion which is currently assigned to Yahukimo Regency.

"Hopefully, the implementation of simultaneous elections in 2024 will take place in a mandate without any significant security disturbances," Pangemanan hoped.

Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius Fakhiri previously said, of the 5,850 polling stations spread across eight districts in Papua Mountains and of that number 28 polling stations were located in the KKB area in Lanny Jaya, Central Mamberamo, Jayawijaya, Central Mamberamo and Tolikara Regencies.

"TPS which is included in the category of very vulnerable areas is recorded at 619 polling stations and spread across six districts except for Yalimo and Yahukimo regencies," he explained.

Papua Mountains is one of three provinces of the new autonomy region with the capital city in Wamena.