I have just bestowed awards on (the wives of) the teachers. I immediately signed (a document to that effect) since in my view, they had opened a road for Papua’s children to change for the better.
Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The wives of two slain teachers in the easternmost Indonesian province of Papua were honored with awards from the Social Affairs Ministry.

Armed criminal groups in Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, Papua, shot dead two teachers identified as Oktovianus Rayo on Thursday (April 8) and Yonatan Renden on Friday (April 9).

"I have just bestowed awards on (the wives of) the teachers. I immediately signed (a document to that effect) since in my view, they had opened a road for Papua’s children to change for the better," Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini stated in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday.

Rismaharini remarked that the government had extended special autonomous fund to Papua to promote social welfare and living standards of the local people. However, a handful of people are still dissatisfied. In fact, the two slain teachers had stayed in a remote area to impart education to the children for a better future.

The minister bestowed the awards on the slain teachers’ wives -- Dewi Cita Paliling and Nathalina Pamean -- in recognition of their husbands' efforts and dedication to bring about an improvement in Puncak District, Papua.

The minister also encouraged the Education and Culture Ministry to offer scholarships to children of the two slain teachers.

Several armed Papuan criminals opened fire at a kiosk in Julukoma Village on Thursday (April 8) at about 9:30 a.m. local time.

The shooting incident resulted in the death of a Beoga public elementary school teacher, Rayo.

After killing Rayo, the armed attackers continued their acts of terror by torching three classrooms of the Beoga public senior high school.

On Friday (April 9), the armed Papuan criminals again assaulted another teacher, Renden. This junior high school teacher was shot on his chest.

Several villagers attempted to save Renden's life by moving him to the Beoga public health center, but he died.
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Translator: Devi Nindy SR/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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