REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAYAPURA — The police condemned the unilateral action of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) that attacked and burned educational facilities in Kampung Borban of Okbab District, Bintang Mountains, Central Papua.

Although there were no fatalities in the unilateral action, armed separatists set fire to a school complex that had been used for educational facilities for children in Papua.

Cartenz's head of Peaceful Operations, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, said a check at the scene, which was set on fire by the armed group, was the building of the Okbab State Primary School (SDN).

“We are very sorry that the KKB (Armed Criminal Group) attacked and burned down educational facilities that are desperately needed by indigenous children in Papua in order to learn for a better future for their homeland,” Faizal said, in a press release received by reporters in Jakarta on Monday (15/7/2024).

Faizal said he had identified the perpetrators of the assault and arson. He said that from the searches he received, the perpetrators of the assault and arson were an armed group of about four people from the ranks of Memokon.

Namely Jender Siktaop aka Usoki, Aquino Kaladana, Yuni Mimin, and Enos Kakyarmabim. Faizal said that from the identification, a joint team of Task Force Damai Cartenz from the police, as well as the Indonesian National Army (TNI) have been conducting a pursuit to enforce the law.

“The actions of the KKB in attacking and burning these schools reflect the tremendous crimes they have committed. And we from the police, as well as from the military, will crack down decisively on these perpetrators,” Faizal said.

Public Relations Kasatgas Operasi Damai Cartenz Kommissar Besar (Kombes) Bayu Suseno added that the assault and burning of armed separatist groups on such educational facilities was irresponsible, and a disregard for the rights of children in Papua to receive education.

“The KKB is not a freedom fighter. They are nothing but destroyers of the future of Papuan children who want education for their future,” Bayu said.

Bayu said, this was not the first time the separatist group had set fire to school buildings. And he said, these unilateral actions must be carried out in a firm manner.

“These schools should be a safe place for children in Papua to get an education. "We will tighten security at schools, and ensure that we take firm action against the perpetrators of the attack and arson," continued Bayu.

The Free Papua Organization (OPM) has again carried out attacks and destruction of public facilities and education in Papua. On Sunday (14/7/2024) the armed separatist group attacked residents in the Bintang Mountains area, in Central Papua.

There have been no reports of casualties in the attack, but the OPM burned down all buildings and educational facilities in Borban Village, Okbab District.

Spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) OPM Sebby Sambom said that the attack and arson were carried out by Ananias Ati Mimin and his troops.

"That his troops have burned all the elementary, middle school, high school and vocational school buildings in Borban Village in the Okbab District, Bintang Mountains," said Sebby in a press release received by Republika.co.id in Jakarta, Sunday (14/7 /2024).

Sebby said that the burning of educational buildings was carried out because his group believed they were nests and outposts for the Indonesian military. Sebby said, the order from the highest leader of the OPM also asked all indigenous people in Papua to carry out similar actions.

"TPNPB-OPM Central Headquarters announced to all TPNPB troops in 36 protected areas in Tanah Papua to immediately burn all facilities built by the Indonesian government in Tanah Papua," said Sebby.

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