Please remain cautious until this year-end. Our recent success (in securing PON) made us proud. But, do not be caught off guard because there are tasks that we must carry outTimika, Papua (ANTARA) - National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has asked police and military (TNI) personnel in Papua to remain alert, citing the likelihood of an escalation in separatist terrorists' activities towards the end of the year.
"Ahead of this year-end, local issues potentially escalate," he noted while issuing directives to police and military personnel during a roll call in Timika, the capital of Mimika district, Papua province, on Friday.
"As a result, security disturbances may rise owing to the increased intensity of the armed Papuan groups' activities," he said.
The roll call was also attended by TNI Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.
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As part of precautionary measures, maintaining security awareness and alertness is indispensable, as was done during the convening of Papua's National Games (PON), Prabowo said.
"Please remain cautious until this year-end. Our recent success (in securing PON) made us proud. But, do not be caught off guard because there are tasks that we must carry out," he added.
During the roll call, held at the Raider 20/IJK Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Timika, he also thanked all police and TNI personnel involved in securing and safeguarding the convening of the 20th National Games.
Co-hosted by Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the multi-sport event was strategic for Indonesia and Papua, he said.
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The event convincingly demonstrated to Indonesians and the international community that Papua is safe and secure, and, therefore, is ready to host large-scale events, Prabowo remarked.
"These all can have happened due to the hard works of TNI, police, and various elements of society," he said.
Prabowo also touched upon how both police and TNI managed to stop criminal groups seeking to disrupt Papua's PON. As a result, the event ran in a safe and secure manner, he said.
Papua has lately attracted the media spotlight as the host of this year's PON National Games and National Para Games (Peparnas).
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The PON took place in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2 to October 15 this year, while Peparnas will be held from November 2 to November 15.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia participated in Papua's PON National Games, which featured 37 events.
Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura city and Jayapura district. The games will feature 12 events.
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Translator: Genta TM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
