Kapendam Cenderawasih: Armed Groups Often Pretext As Victims

A meeting related to the plan to evacuate the bodies of PT PTT employees in Beoga, Puncak Regency, Papua which was held in Timika, Friday (4/3). (ANTARA/HO/Pendam XVII Cenderawasih)

JAYAPURA - The Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Infantry Colonel Aqsha Erlangga, stated that armed groups often act brutally and often claim to be the persecuted party.

What was done by armed groups against the army and police as well as civilians, Kapendam emphasized, was beyond common sense and humanity, violated human rights, and was barbaric.

"In fact, the existence of civilians is to carry out development in their area, as was the case with eight employees of PT Palapa Timur Telematika (PTT) in Beoga who reportedly died as a result of being mistreated by armed groups," said Kapendam, quoted by Antara, Friday, March 4.

In addition to the shooting and mistreatment experienced by eight PTT employees on Wednesday (2/3), armed groups also attacked the personnel of the Kodim Yonif R 408/SBH Task Force in Dambet Village, Beoga District, Puncak Jaya Regency. Soldier Chief Heriyanto was shot in the neck.

Previously, on April 25, 2021, armed groups also shot the Head of the Papuan Regional National Intelligence Agency, Brigadier General Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha, to death.

"Armed groups also reportedly set fire to a school building in Beoga District in April 2021," he said.