5 Witnesses From Garuda-Flobamora Ormas Examined By The NTT Police For Alleged Persescusion Of Papuan Students

The Head of Public Relations of the NTT Police, Kombes Araisandy, when giving a statement to reporters in Kupang, Monday (4/12). ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha

The NTT Regional Police have examined five witnesses regarding the alleged persecution carried out by a group of community organizations in Kupang City against Papuan students. "As of Saturday last week, five witnesses were examined by the investigative team from the General Criminal Investigation Unit of the NTT Police," said Head of Public Relations of the NTT Police Kombes Ariasandy in Kupang, quoted from Antara, Monday, December 5. Persekusi allegedly carried out when a number of Papuan students held a demonstration on Friday, December 1 in commemoration of the declaration of West Papua Province. It was during the demonstration that they were visited by a number of mass organizations in Kupang City, namely the Flobamora Guard Ormas and Garuda. The argument was unavoidable between mass organizations and students. From the video circulating, a number of students did not reply to punches from several people who were members of the mass organization. Ariasandy added that the five witnesses who had been summoned and examined came from the Garuda Ormas, one of the mass organizations involved in the persecution case. "Their status is only as witnesses and it is a summons for initial examination," he said. The former South Central Timor Police Chief added that the examination of a number of members of the mass organizations was carried out based on the video circulating, without being based on a police report. Meanwhile, the police report has been made by the Kupang City Police and later the LP will be transferred to the NTT Regional Police for further handling. "On Wednesday, a summons will be made to the parties involved in the case, both from the mass organizations and from the implementing parties holding demonstrations," he added. The NTT Police Chief Inspector General Johanis Asadoma emphasized that acts of violence by a group of mass organizations in Kupang City against Papuan students could not be justified.

"Therefore, the NTT Police will take firm action in accordance with the applicable law against perpetrators of acts of violence against Papuan students," he said.