Jayapura – A number of residents of Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains are reportedly still displaced due to the terror of the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya. The hostage-taking of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens is considered to make residents suffer so much that many are looking for a safe place in Wamena.
“Because due to this hostage-taking, many people are suffering. We see so many refugees in Wamena because of this,” Pangdam XVII / Cenderawasih Major General Izak Pangemanan told reporters in Jayapura City, Papua, Thursday (20/7/2023).
Izak did not specify the total number of Nduga residents who have taken refuge in Wamena. But they are worried that the hostage-taking of the Susi Air pilot could trigger a firefight.
“The community is afraid that there will be a firefight with the TNI so that there will be evacuations,” he added.
Izak hopes that the process of freeing the Susi Air pilot can be completed soon. This is expected to allow the community to return to their hometowns.
“So we hope that refugees who have left the area can return soon. Reconnect normally back in their village,” he said.
According to him, the government together with the TNI and Polri continue to make efforts to deal with problems in Papua. According to him, this case must be seen in a complex manner.
“We too in acting will look at this problem broadly, completely. Because the problems in Papua are multidimensional, the problems in Papua have a broad spectrum, so we cannot just handle it,” Izak explained.
Izak added that efforts to free the Susi Air pilot prioritized negotiation efforts. The Nduga Regency Government is still coordinating with Egianus Kogoya’s side.
“The local government is working, we continue to encourage all parties involved to seek the release of this pilot for the sake of the community,” he said.
As previously reported, 63 residents of Koroptak District fled to Kenyam District on July 1, 2023. They allegedly fled for fear of the KKB.
“Maybe this is part of it (KKB), this is possible yes. But of course with the last few disturbances, well this can also make people afraid,” Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri told reporters, Saturday (1/7).
Mathius also asked people in districts that often intersect directly with KKB groups to evacuate. This is to minimize providing food assistance to the group.
“We ask them to be brought to Kenyam, some are closer to Wamena, if they are close to Lanny Jaya, they are brought to Kuyawage so that they do not help provide food assistance to the Egianus group,” he explained.
