Papuan Academic Figures Give Appreciation for Success for Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025

Wamena, June 15, 2025 — Papuan academic figure Dr. Alfius Animan, S.Th., M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for the success of the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 in enforcing the law against Armed Criminal Groups (KKB), especially those that occurred in the Jayawijaya and Mimika areas.

For indigenous people who have been living in areas prone to security disturbances, the firm and measured steps taken by the authorities are considered to give new hope to live a more peaceful and productive life. The Head of the Lapago Regional Indigenous Institution, Yance Wanimbo, revealed that indigenous people now feel safer to do activities after previously being hit by fear due to violence and intimidation from armed groups.

“We feel calmer now. Children can go back to school, people can garden and trade without being haunted by fear. This is all thanks to the hard work of security officers who enforce the law with a humanist approach,” said Yance in his statement at Wamena, Saturday (15/6).

He added that so far armed criminal groups have not only attacked the apparatus, but also targeted civilians and public infrastructure, including schools and health facilities.

“We have been victims for too long. The indigenous people fully support the steps of the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 , because we want to live peacefully in our own land,” he said.

In the past few months, the joint forces of the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 have succeeded in cracking down on a number of perpetrators of armed violence in several mountainous and coastal areas of Papua. In addition to arrest, the approach of dialogue and coaching to the community also continues to be carried out to strengthen social resilience.

Yance hopes that the operation carried out by the Task Force will not only focus on law enforcement, but also continue to encourage social and economic development in post-conflict areas.

“Once safe, we need development. Education, health, and community economy must also be considered, so that this peace can last for a long time,” he said.

With the security situation starting to be conducive, the Papuan indigenous people invited all parties to maintain peace and not be provoked by groups that want to destroy harmony in Bumi Cenderawasih.

“If we unite, Papua can be safe and prosperous. We want to live peacefully without fear,” Yance concluded.