Let us all, brothers and sisters, maintain peace and security in Papua. I appeal to all of us to ensure that there will be no movements that may potentially trigger a division between us
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)-Jayapura Chapter KH Abdul Kahar Yelipele called on all Papuans across Papua Province to maintain peace ahead of the commemoration of the Free Papua Movement's (OPM's) anniversary on December 1, 2019.

"Let us all, brothers and sisters, maintain peace and security in Papua. I appeal to all of us to ensure that there will be no movements that may potentially trigger a division between us," Yelipele said here Thursday. He urged all members of the Papuan communities in Jayapura and other parts of Papua to exercise self-restraint and not get provoked by those wanting to harm the brotherhood and peace among the people.

Therefore, unnecessary movements ahead of early December were not needed. Instead, December 1 would be a time to prepare for a peaceful and tranquil Christmas.

To this end, all elements of the society are expected to support their Christian brothers and sisters. Therefore, Papuan millennials also need to be wise in responding to issues or calls for running amok.

"I call on all members of our young generation to avoid any event that opposes the legitimate government on December 1. Let us safeguard Papua. Papua is part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," he said.

Before the commemoration of the OPM's anniversary in early December, the police has made an effort to beef up security.

However, extra security personnel, deployed from outside Papua Province, were not needed. In general, the security situation across Papua Province remains under control, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw said Monday.

Apart from that, Waterpauw warned that armed Papuan criminals would probably launch disturbances in the future at the mining sites of gold and copper mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia in Tembagapura District.

Several groups of armed Papuan rebels from Pegunungan Tengah in Jayawijaya District had been spotted in Intan Jaya District, according to reports he had received. They were seen moving towards the mining areas of PT Freeport Indonesia, he said.

He had ordered the security agencies' special team members to continue monitoring the movements of the criminals, Waterpauw said, adding that civil and religious leaders were also approached to prevent residents from being provoked by the groups.

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Translator: Alfian R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019