Demonstration Against New Autonomous Regions On May 10, West Papua Police Asks People Not To Be Provoked

West Papua Police Public Relations Head Kombes Adam Erwindi (ANTARA/HO-West Papua Police Public Relations)

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Regional Police (Polda) appealed to the public to remain calm and carry out their activities as usual and not to be provoked by the planned demonstration against the formation of new autonomous regions (DOB) and the revocation of special autonomy (otsus).

"The general public should carry out their activities as usual, without being provoked by invitations from certain groups through leaflets or social media to convey their aspirations in public on May 10 tomorrow," said Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Kombes Adam Erwindi, as quoted by Antara, Monday, May 9.

The appeal is an effort to respond to the action plan of community groups that will hold a demonstration, Tuesday (10/5), with the agenda of rejecting new autonomous regions and revoking special autonomy in West Papua.

Erwindi asked community groups who wish to express their aspirations in public to carry out their actions in an orderly manner and without doing things that are anarchistic in nature.

"For community groups who will take part in the action, they are advised to convey their aspirations in an orderly manner, don't want to be provoked by elements who want to create anarchy," he said.

He emphasized that the National Police highly upholds democracy, because freedom of opinion and expression is the right of every citizen as long as it is within the corridor of applicable regulations.

"West Papua Police will be firm against anyone who commits anarchy. This is the mandate of the Regional Police Chief so that West Papua is generally orderly and safe," he added.

He also warned that there should be no provocation or riders trying to clash with the public and the government during the demonstration.

"Be careful with provocations, because we need to know that the West Papua Province does not have regional expansion or new autonomous regions. New autonomous regions are only in the Papua Province," he said.