Papua – Information circulating from one of the media in Papua some time ago that there were still refugees in Intan Jaya district received a response and an explanation from the Chief of Sugapa Sector Police, Police Second Inspector Engel Mayor, Monday (29/03).
When met by the media, the Chief of Sugapa Sector Police, Police Second Inspector Engel Mayor, said that the social security situation in the Intan Jaya Regency area in the past month has begun to be conducive because residents have been moving safely, smoothly and with visible disturbances.
Police Second Inspector Mayor, accompanied by the Head of the Binmas Intan Jaya Police Second Police Inspector Arisadi Tajoma, admitted some time ago, to be precise, around the beginning of February. Indeed, the Intan Jaya community was afraid to leave the house because, at that time, there was frequent gunfire between the security forces (TNI and INP) and the group. Armed Criminal (KKB). However, in line with the current situation and security, he said, Intan Jaya residents’ activities are starting to come to life.
“Community activities in Intan Jaya are currently running normally, including school children ranging from elementary, junior high to high school students have returned to school,” said the Police Second Inspector Mayor when met by the media.
The Chief of Sugapa Sector Police denied the news that thousands of residents in the area had fled to the church some time ago when their hometown situation was unsafe.
“Indeed, a few months ago, there was an incident in the Bilorai Umbalakupa area. According to the local government’s direction, the people there went to secure themselves at the Catholic Church of the Santo Michael Bilogai Parish. Namely, if there was a firefight between the security forces and the KKB, the residents had to secure themselves in a neutral place. Namely in church, “he explained.
The Chief of Sugapa Sector Police emphasized that residents had only been securing themselves in the church environment for a few days. It was not true that there was a massive exodus of refugees from Intan Jaya to Nabire, Timika, and other areas in Papua.
“People are securing themselves to the church because they are afraid, not displaced. If you say they fled, I don’t think that’s true,” said the Police Second Inspector Major.
All residents who had secured themselves to the St. Michael Bilogai Catholic Church complex, he said, have now returned to their respective homes.
“They only spent three days in church, after which they all returned to their hometowns. So, the news that is out there is exaggerated,” he said.
Intan Jaya Regent Natalis Tabuni handed over necessities to the people of Intan Jaya some time ago.
The Chief of Sugapa Sector Police reminded all parties not to make fake news or hoaxes about the people’s situation and condition in Intan Jaya.
“We are the ones who are there almost every day with the people in Intan Jaya. We know very well the situation of the people there. The news makes people think that the Intan Jaya area is not safe, even though the conditions are now. It’s safe, “explained the Police Second Inspector Major.
As for meeting the people’s basic needs in Intan Jaya, the government continues to distribute social assistance to the area. The social service was provided by the Intan Jaya Regency Government, help from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, and also assistance sent by the Timika Diocese.
“Social assistance from the Regional Government of Intan Jaya was immediately handed over by Intan Jaya’s Regent (Natalis Tabuni). Meanwhile, the assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs was handed over by the Regional Secretary. Meanwhile, the Timika Diocese’s assistance was directly channeled by the church to the local community,” explained Police Second Inspector Mayor.
Previously, Intan Jaya Regent Natalis Tabuni, together with the Intan Jaya Regency OPD leadership, visited the market and had a dialogue with Papuan women and business players at the Sugapa market.
“The activity of traders selling in the market is already busy and normal, so we should be grateful because the economy in Intan Jaya Regency continues to run normally,” he said.