Commander of the 1801/Manokwari District Military Command Colonel Agus Prihanto Donny said armed separatist activities do not exist in the district and the situation remains calm and under control.
To maintain public safety, his party continues to coordinate with local police, he said while acknowledging the presence of some individuals who have voiced pro-independence sentiments.
According to Donny, such activity has been limited in scale and has not affected the broader community.
He encouraged residents to mark the August 17 anniversary with positive activities, including competitions, neighborhood cleanups, and displaying the national flags.
Donny also urged the public to pause their activities at 10 a.m. local time on Independence Day, and stand in silence during the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, to honor the country's fallen heroes and heroines.
"Even those driving are asked to stop briefly to observe the moment of the proclamation," he said.
Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror targeting civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
On December 2, 2018, for instance, a group of armed Papuan separatists brutally killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya. The workers were engaged in the Trans Papua project in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak in Yigi Sub-district, Nduga District.
In the early morning of September 2, 2021, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Maybrat District ambushed sleeping soldiers at the Kisor military post located in Kisor Village, South Aifat Sub-district.
On March 2, 2022, several members of an armed Papuan group operating in Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, killed eight Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) workers who were repairing a base transceiver station (BTS) tower owned by state-owned telecommunications operator Telkomsel.
On February 7, 2023, New Zealander pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, a Papuan separatist shot dead a kiosk owner in Wandoga Village, Sugapa Sub-district, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua, at around 1:40 p.m. local time.
The kiosk owner, identified as Joni Hendra, was gunned down as he was serving a customer.
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Translator: Ali NI, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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