Arrest Of Fugitive Manokwari Prison Convicts Had Caused Road Blockade Action, Police Chief: Situation Already Conducive

PAPUABARAT - Class II B Manokwari Penitentiary Security Officers managed to arrest BW, an inmate who escaped in December 2020, on Yos Sudarso Sanggeng Street, West Manokwari, Wednesday.

The arrest of BW, an inmate at Manokwari Prison who was a fugitive, had sparked strong protests from local residents, which culminated in blocking the road.

The confirmed head of the Class II B Penitentiary Manokwari Yulius Paath said that BW fought against prison officers so that warning shots and attempts to paralyze him.

"Arrested by the prison security team, an attempt was made to fire warning shots upwards. Because they resisted, the officers took paralyzing actions," said Yulius, as quoted by Antara.

Yulius also straightened out that the prison staff did not use live bullets to paralyze him, so that BW inmates only suffered bruises on their legs.

"We have met and explained to the family, so they understand. It's just that the issues that are developing outside are too fast, thus triggering the road blocking action," said Kalapas related to the road blockade that occurred.

Yulius further explained that BW was a prisoner with three different cases. The latest case is his involvement in the destruction of the Manokwari riots on August 19, 2020.

"I was not in office when he left prison on December 8, 2020. I don't know whether to escape or get out in what way. What is clear, I received information that he is a fugitive from prison," he said.

Separately, Manokwari Police Chief AKBP Dadang Kurniawan Winjaya in Manokwari said that until now the situation for Kamtibmas in the area was conducive after the road blockade due to BW's arrest.

"The road blockade has been brought under control, the situation is back to normal. The road blockade was only a spontaneous move from the prisoners' families who were provoked by news of arrests by prison security officers," said the Manokwari Police Chief.