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Military reacting brutally in Wunin, Wurineri districts

West Papua News - January 24, 2005

Our correspondent from Mbaliem (Wamena) reported today of a military brutality against civilians in Wunin District, Wurineri Village, Tolikara Regency, Jayawijaya, West Papua by The Indonesian military.

The attack happened at 8am, when the villagers were on their way to their gardens for their daily activities. The military were wearing ordinary clothes, but carrying shut machine-guns. The military (Kopasssus - Indonesian Special Forces) attacked the villagers, houses, animals and plants (gardens). Consequently, all villagers (fathers, mothers, children and youths) went to the bush, due to the fear of death.

In the attack, houses were burnt down, including the Office of Wunin Regional Branch, the office of the district and other public buildings. Report says nothing is left in the village.

Meanwhile, the elder in the village, who had been helping and protecting the villagers, who is also the church elder and tribal chief, Mr. Awuru Wanimbo is reported lost, most probably shot dead or kidnapped by the attacking forces.

Total number of arrests or death is not known yet until this report is sent. At the moment, Wunin District is in emergency situation as the military sweeping across the villages.

After two minutes of the attack, the villagers saw one troops of the Kopassus and one of the Mobile Brigade using Air Force Helicopter landed in Wunin District football field and straight away fired their machine guns.

According to our reporter, the plan to attack villages across the highlands of West Papua has been outlined by the Indonesian Military Commander in Port Numbay, capital of West Papua. According to the intelligence sources, the plan was outlined some months ago by the Military Commander. There are two phases of the operations.

First one is carrying out attacks on villagers suspected as strongholds of the independence movement. The world has seen the outcome of this phase in Tingginambut Puncak Jaya in August 2004 until the end of last year, causing casualties and refugee crises and huge military operations while the Indonesian president was offering Christmas Present: The Papuan Peoples Assembly (MRP). There was also military operations in Obano Districk, Nabire, West Papua during the same period, killing at around 10 innocent civilians.

Ilugwa Village, some hours to walk from Wamena town in the highlands of West Papua also visited by the Kopassus, questioning the tribal elders and church leaders. They also threatened the elders to be killed. Some weeks later, Wurineri Village of WUnin District is under attack, with similar operations and under the hands of the same troops (Kopassus).

The second, phase of the operation, according to the secret service source, is to pay off villagers, from the money from the Special Autonomy. This is called intelligence operation, and the former one is military offensive. Villagers who were paid off by the Indonesian military already reported to their fellow villagers that they were paid off by the Indonesian armed forces to sell their own peoples.

The report confirmed that the centre for intelligence and military operations in the highlands is centralised in Wamena town.

The tribal elders and church elders from Tolikara Regency are now requesting the the NGOs, governments and student organisations all over the world, to give a helping hand, to stop yet another deadly military operation.

There is an urgent need now for the world to react by:

1. Ringing directly to the police and army commanders in Port Numbay;
2. Ringing directly to the police and army commanders in Wamena,
3. Ringing the GOvernor and Regens of Tolikara and Jayawijaya

Contact Wamena

1. Wamena Army Office (Kodim) +62(0)969-31089
2. Wamena Police Office (Kapolres) +62(0)969-31110
3. Wamena Regent Office (Bupati) +62(0)969-31005
4. Wamena House of Parliament (DPRD) +62(0)969 31045.

Points to raise:

1. Why they are attacking innocent villagers?
2. Are these operations included in any of the articles of the Special Autonomy Law?
3. Or Is this the meaning of Special Autonomy for West Papua?
4. Why Indonesia is using guns?
 

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