REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Tolikara incident was a serious violation of the human right of religious freedom, an issue law enforcement agencies must now resolve, Chairman of the Setara Institute Hendardi said.
"The incident that occurred on Friday in Tolikara, Papua, violated the human right of freedom of religion," Hendardi stated here on Monday.
He urged the government to immediately investigate the case comprehensively, appropriately and transparently, to maintain peace and security in Papua.
According to Hendardi, the issue of religious freedom is a sensitive one that should be considered from the perspective of the players as well as political interests, including the cabinet reshuffle.
"President Jokowi should resolve the Tolikara incident carefully and wisely," he remarked.
Furthermore, Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno affirmed here on Monday that the government, in cooperation with the police, is investigating the Tolikara incident to find its perpetrators.
"Based on the results of the meeting held here on Saturday, the police will conduct an investigation to ascertain whether the actions of the security personnel were in line with procedures," he noted in his office when asked to comment on the episode.
The minister confirmed that one person had died, and 54 kiosks and a mushola (Islamic house of prayer) had been burnt down during the clashes.
Moreover, he believes that it was impossible for the incident to have taken place without having anyone trigger it.
"It could not have been possible for them to have just done it. I think it started out as a demonstration, which most certainly had a (field) coordinator behind it. It was not merely a spur-of-the-moment incident," Purdijatno emphasized.
During the meeting in his office on Saturday, the minister pointed out, seven conclusions had been reached, including enforcing the law against the perpetrators and intellectual figures behind the issue and investigating whether the security personnel had acted in line with procedures.
"The police will also probe whether the actions of the security personnel there were in line with procedures," he remarked.
In addition, the minister revealed that the situation in Tolikara was now stable and that security forces were on guard to prevent any possible recurrence.
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