Papua – The claim by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) against the Indigenous Papuans (OAP) suspected of being informants has sparked deep condemnation and concern among Papua figures. The criminal incident that occurred in Kampung Pogapa, Homeyo District, Intan Jaya Regency, tragically resulting in the death of a civilian, has stirred strong reactions against the brutality of the KKB.
A similar case in the past, where the KKB brutally murdered the Village Head Modusit Timo Kasipmabin (45), accusing him of being an informant, further highlights the indiscriminate terror of the KKB, targeting everyone, including indigenous Papuans. In response to this event, a Papua Youth Figure, Ali Kabiyai, emphasized that the KKB’s claim is merely an excuse used to commit crimes.
“That claim is just an excuse to legitimize criminal behavior. For a long time, the KKB has been attacking civilians and security forces, always associating them with espionage accusations, even though they are only using civilians as shields,” Ali stated firmly.
Ali also criticized the KKB’s claim that only targets OAP as informants, without considering other professions such as healthcare workers (Nakes), motorcycle taxi drivers, project workers, and other cases such as school building arson, healthcare facilities, and government institutions.
“Their statement only makes the public more aware that the KKB is just seeking justification to commit crimes, thus perpetuating its existence. Yet, we as OAPs have already felt the positive impact of development in Papua,” he added.
Several civilians, both newcomers and OAPs, are even reluctant to engage in activities due to fear of disturbances from the KKB, who often plunder crops and threaten personal security. This raises questions from Ali about the fate of OAPs seeking livelihoods in their homeland.
