Miners Killed Again KST Papua, Korem 172/PWY Will Data Civilians In The Bintang Mountains

Illustration of illegal gold mining in Wasirawi Village, Masni District, Manokwari, West Papua. (ANTARA-HANS ARNOLD KAPISA)

JAYAPURA - A terrorist separatist group (KST) carried out the killing of civilians in a mining area in the Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua

The commander of Korem 172/PWY, Brigadier General JO Sembiring, said the victim, Azis, was killed on Tuesday, July 19 local time.

"Indeed, there are reports of KST killing a civilian at a mining site in Kawe Village, Awimbon District, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua," he said in Jayapura, Papua, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, July 20.

Sembiring said that the mining site, which is managed by local residents, does not have security personnel. To reach the location, the only transportation that can be used is helicopter.

Based on the report he received, Sembiring said the helicopter could only be accessed from Tanah Merah, Boven Digoel Regency.

"I myself have never been to the location," he said.

He added that because of the frequent occurrence of murders at mining sites, his staff would cooperate with the local government of the Bintang Mountains Regency. He said his party will record the number of residents who carry out mining.

Regarding the issue of civilians being killed, it was the security forces, Sembiring denied it. He emphasized that the victims were civilians looking for food in the mining area.

"It is not true that the victim is a security officer," he said.