We respect the roots of the culture of the people where we are stationedTimika, Papua (ANTARA) - A high-ranking police officer instructed personnel of the Indonesian police's mobile brigade (Brimob) deployed in Papua to gain a broad understanding of the culture of native Papuan communities.
"We respect the roots of the culture of the people where we are stationed," Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D. Fakhiri noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here on Monday.
Last week, Fakhiri had embarked on his first official visit to Timika, the capital of Mimika District, after being recently inaugurated as the Papua police chief.
By respecting and understanding the Papuan people's culture, the Brimob personnel would be able to steer clear from unnecessary problems that could dampen the public’s trust, according to Fakhiri.
To this end, the Brimob personnel, coming from different parts of Indonesia and stationed in Papua, must thoroughly comprehend ways to deal with the native Papuans, he emphasized.
Apart from gaining multi-cultural awareness, the Brimob personnel, who join the Nemangkawi task force and other units, must remain firm in dealing with any security challenge.
The military and police personnel stationed in certain areas, with high security risks, continue to face challenges posed by notorious armed Papuan criminals, who commit acts of violence, he stated.
In responding to this situation, all police officers should enforce the law in an assertive and measurable manner, he remarked.
"Being firm does not mean to be violent. Any act of violence must be stopped," Fakhiri affirmed.
Security disturbances have been reported sporadically from several areas, such as Intan Jaya District, where armed Papuan groups operate.
Reports indicated that several armed Papuan groups, including the one led by Sabinus Waker, operate around Intan Jaya.
Armed groups in the district have repeatedly engaged in gunfights with security personnel. They have also gone on a shooting rampage targeting innocent civilians.
ANTARA had reported the launch of a security operation -- "Operation Nemangkawi" -- in 2019 following the massacre of 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District, on December 2, 2018.
Armed Papuan rebels, who were reportedly behind the brutal killings of the Trans Papua construction workers, also killed a soldier, identified as Handoko, and injured two other security personnel, Sugeng and Wahyu.
The government has launched emergency response measures to address the impact of the most recent instances of armed conflict, which have forced around 600 locals to flee their homes.
To this end, Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry recently supplied aid packages to those taking refuge.
The aid packages comprised 660 packaged food boxes, 420 food packs for children, 100 folding tents, 200 folding mattresses, and 300 blankets.
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Evarianus S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
