4 Illegal Mining Operations Day, 46 People Asked To The Manokwari Police Headquarters

Illegal gold mining activities in Wasirawi Village, Manokwari, West Papua. (Screenshot-Antara-Hans Arnold K)

PAPUA - Manokwari Police carried out an operation to raid illegal mining activities in Wasirawi Village, Masni District, Manokwari, West Papua. As a result, 46 people were escorted to the Manokwari Police Headquarters.

Manokwari Police Chief AKBP Parasian Herman Gultom said the operation was held consecutively from November 18-22. "There were 46 people who were arrested from illegal gold mining locations in Wasirawi village. They were secured consecutively in the operation, and are currently being secured to the Manokwari Police Headquarters for questioning," he said in Manokwari, Tuesday, November 22 night. "For them, the process of investigating their role in gold mining without a permit is still ongoing. "For a while 46 people consisting of men and women are still witnesses because we carried out the investigation process in a marathon," said the Police Chief.

Separately, West Papua Police Chief Inspector General Daniel TM Silitonga said that efforts to prevent and enforce the law against illegal mining activities in the West Papua region are one of the attention that must be increased by the ranks of the Police. "Yes, controlling illegal mining activities is part of my attention to ensure there is no potential for security disturbance among the community around the location, to illegal activities that harm the government and the state in the mining sector," said the West Papua Police Chief.