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50 West Papuans detained in PNG

PNG Post Courier - January 25, 2011

Papua New Guinea MP condemns operation against Indonesian rebels - The National (PNG). January 21, 2011
PNG launches border security operation - Australian Associated Press. January 17, 2011
UNHCR urges integration of West Papuan refugees in PNG - Radio New Zealand International. June 25, 2010
'People left powerless' by new resources laws - ABC News. June 14, 2010
Papua New Guinea: Indigenous people lose out on land rights - IRIN News. June 1, 2010

Todagia Kelola – More then 50 West Papuans from Indonesia have been rounded up and detained in Vanimo by security forces involved in Operation Sunset Merona.

Chief of Police Operations and acting deputy Commissioner Fred Yakasa revealed this yesterday when he visited the town to see first hand the progress of the Government sanctioned operation.

The detainees are now currently being processed and if they are found to have entered the country illegally, or are involved in OPM activities on the PNG side of the border, they will be told to leave the country.

Mr Yakasa arrived in Vanimo over the weekend to assess the operation on the ground and collect first-hand information to report back to the acting commissioner Anthony Wagambie and the National Executive Council

He said the negative media coverage on the current operation had prompted his visit to Vanimo.

Yakasa's three-day visit will necessitate the progress of the operations, settling of the local command and submission for the extension of the operation.

"I am here to correct issues on the ground as chief of operations and to request for the extension of the operations for another two months". He said the communities had expressed appreciation for the community policing undertaken by the Sunset Merona personnel deployed from Port Moresby.

"I will also assess the strengths and weaknesses of the operation," he said. Mr Yakasa also met with the Sandaun provincial administrator Joe Sungi and the District Administrator Lou Badui. He said the both men were in support and requested for an extension of the operation. He added that their current objectives were also in line with the upcoming general elections in 2012.

Meanwhile, Mr Yakasa visited the PNG-Indonesia border security office on Monday and was very concerned on the current state of the facilities and how the border is being manned.

A local support officer Charles Mambo, who briefed Mr Yakasa, said the border post had been neglected for the past three years in terms of logistical support and manpower to adequately man the border. He said only six officers from Customs, Migration, Health Quarantine, Food Quarantine and Police were manning the area.

"The two-way radio installed has not been working for the past three years as well as electricity," he said. He added that most of the smuggling activities occurred after hours.

"Normal shift is from 9am to 5pm in the afternoon, after that there is basically no one manning the border to check on people going in and out of the country" said Mr Mambo.