Lewis Kogoya Becomes The Leader When Burning 15 Shelter Houses In Papua's Baya Biru District, Carrying SS1 And AK-47 Assault Rifles

The shelter for miners in Baya Biru District, Paniai Regency, Papua was burned by KKB. ANTARA/HO-Personal Documents

PAPUA - Lewis Kogoya reportedly led an armed group to attack and set fire to a mining camp in Baya Biru District, Paniai Regency, Papua, Sunday, March 20 this morning.

This was conveyed by the Paniai Police Chief, AKBP Abdus Syukur. From the report received by the police, the perpetrators of the attack that accompanied the arson were an armed group led by Kogoya.

Kogoya, who is suspected of being an affiliate of the Intan Jaya armed group, in action with nine members of his group, carried various types of firearms, including the SS1, Mauser, and AK-47.

It was recorded that 15 houses that became shelters for miners were burned as well as public health centers and teacher housing. "There were no fatalities in the incidents that occurred at locations 81 and 45", Syukur said as quoted by Antara.

He said that nine members served at Pospol 99 Ndeotadi, Baya Biru District because one of them was still in Nabire.

Police have not been able to send personnel to the location because there are no direct flights to Baya Biru from Enarotali, the capital of Paniai Regency.

Members of the Paniai Police Station will first be shifted to Nabire by road and will be flown if there is a flight to Baya Biru. "The possibility of new personnel will be flown Monday to Baya Biru", he said.

In the Baya Biru District, there are several mining locations including locations 99, 45, and 81.