OPM Returns To Action, Burns Kiosks And Schools In Paniai Papua

Oganization Papua Merdeka OPM (ANTARA)

The armed criminal group (KKB) or the Free Papua Organization (OPM) attacked one of the kiosks in Madi Village, East Paniai District, Paniai Regency. There were no casualties in this work.

Head of Public Relations of the Papua Police, Kombes Pol. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, said the incident began when two KKB members who used motorbikes stopped by Arwin's stall (34) to buy cigarettes on Tuesday, May 21 at 21:35 WIT.

After receiving cigarettes, one of the KKB members suddenly took out a firearm and immediately fired. Luckily, the shot did not hit Arwin and only hit a helmet hanging inside the house.

Not only carrying out attacks, the KKB in the Paniai area also set fire to 12 kiosk plots at the T-junction of Kopo Kampung Madi, East Paniai District at around 00.15 WIT. KKB then attacked Polri/TNI personnel who evacuated civilians who were in the vicinity of the crime scene.

The shootout between the KKB and TNI-Polri personnel who were at the TKP was unavoidable. "There were no casualties in the contact," said Ignatius in his statement, Wednesday, May 22.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, May 22, at around 02.55 WIT, KKB carried out its action again by burning the PAUD, SD, and YPPGI Kepas Kopo school buildings.

Seeing this unfavorable situation, TNI/Polri personnel evacuated 23 teachers and their families to the Paniai Police Headquarters. Until now, joint TNI-Polri personnel are still on standby around the Kopo T-junction to anticipate further action from the KKB.

In early May, armed groups OPM also attacked by shooting at the Homeyo Police, killing a civilian. The next day, OPM burned SDN Inpres Pogapa.

SDN Inpres Pogapa is located the same as the Homeyo Police, so it ordered members to be vigilant and not be provoked by the action.