Non-Organic Troops In Paniai, Residents Ask TNI Commander To Give Explanation

JAKARTA The presence of non-organic TNI troops in Paniai Regency, Central Papua, is considered to have caused residents' unrest. The troops are said to be present without clear information and coordination, thus triggering trauma from people who have only felt a peaceful situation after years of conflict.

Member of the Paniai Regency DPRK, Yudas Nawipa, said the local community was cleaning up to build their territory when suddenly shocked by the presence of non-organic troops that had intensified in the past week. Some troops were even deployed in the Paniai Lake area using a speedboat.

The organic TNI-Polri troops assisted by the existing Task Force and additional Brimob have actually succeeded in making our territory peaceful and conducive. However, suddenly non-organic troops appeared without any coordination. Even we as representatives of the people do not know their purpose," said Yudas in a written statement, Friday, September 26.

According to Yudas, the addition of troops was accompanied by night patrols to searches of residents' houses in several locations. This condition, he said, made people return to fear and triggered a wave of evacuations. He hopes that the TNI Commander will provide directions and explanations regarding the presence of these troops.

At least this can calm the residents of Paniai. They need to know what these troops are coming for. At this time everyone is scared, the soldiers come at night," he said.

The head of the Kampung Development Guard Task Force, Yunus Kadepa, said the same thing. According to him, thousands of residents now choose to flee to neighboring districts that are considered safer.

"It's even sadder, we can't give answers to the people about the presence of these troops. The tribal envoys have repeatedly asked questions, but we ourselves don't know because no one has told us," said Yunus.

Yunus hopes that the central government will immediately provide clarity. He requested that non-organic forces operations be temporarily suspended until there is clear coordination.

"People's trust and mentality must be restored first so that they can return to their village. Our territory needs development and the economy must run. How can we build if the people continue to evacuate?" he said.