Markus Makur and Nethy Darma Somba, Timika, Jayapura – The body of Papuan separatist leader Kelly Kwalik was welcomed by more than 500 supporters at Timika airport, Papua, on Friday.
The remains were flown onboard a chartered Susi Air plane from the Papuan capital of Jayapura, where forensic authorities conducted DNA testing to verify Kelly's identity.
However, National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri said in Jakarta the forensic team had difficulties verifying the body, but failed to elaborate.
Kelly's body is currently being held at Masyarakat Mitra Hospital in Timika before being handed over to his family. Police are tightly guarding the hospital.
The family and supporters of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) leader are currently undecided about the details of his burial.
However, some of his supporters who gathered at the Mimika Legislative Council called for the raising of the separatist Papuan flag during the burial ceremony.
"Kelly Kwalik was a fighter for the West Papuan people and for all Papuans. We want the Morning Star flag to be hoisted at his burial," a local villager said during an open dialogue at the council building.
The dialogue held in relation to the death of Kelly was attended by more than 500 people, including acting council speaker Trifena Tinal and his deputy Jimmy Syalom Erelak, as well as several other councillors.
On the same occasion, Kelly's loyalists, Papuan community figures and councillors were negotiating with security authorities over the funeral plans.
Ahead of the arrival of Kelly's body, hundreds of his supporters blocked the main access to Moses Kilangin Airstrip in Timika, Mimika regency. They prevented all vehicles from entering the airport, forcing passengers catching flights to walk to the airstrip.
Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Moh. Sagi along with his personnel were dispersed among the crowd to calm the protesters. The block disrupted traffic at Mile 28 street leading to the Freeport mine.
Kelly was shot to death in the early hours of Wednesday morning during a police raid on his house in Timika. He died at a clinic suffering from serious blood loss after he was shot in the right thigh.
Suspicion has arisen that police were unclear how to charge Kelly, so the raid was conducted against him. However, the local military blamed Kelly for a series of recent attacks on PT Freeport Indonesia employees, which killed three people and injured dozens more.
The police are considering relocating five people who were arrested during the raid to Jakarta.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna said Thursday the move was aimed at protecting Jeep Murip, 24, Noni Sanawarme, 35, Martimus Katarame, 21, Yorni Murip, 10 and Yosep Kwamtik, 60, from possible retaliation by OPM rebels. Papua Police are currently questioning them over a series of acts of separatism across the region.
Police said they were prepared for any attacks as a result of the raid.
During the raid the police also seized documents belonging to the OPM including a handgun, ammunition, a sickle, two bows and 12 arrows. Nanan said the police were hunting four suspected accomplices that allegedly helped Kelly organize separatist activities.
Director of the Anti-violence Human Rights Foundation (Yahamak), Yosepha Alomang, expressed regret over the killing of Kelly.
"Why was he killed? He was not a thief. The police did not search for him in the jungle, but killed him in his own home," said Yosepha, winner of Yap Thiam Hien Human Rights Award in 1999. Kelly's family members visited the hospital in Jayapura to see Kelly's remains, but the police denied them access.