Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Three more people – one soldier and two civilians – were killed on Saturday in the latest bloody incident in Papua at a time when the authorities have been unable to identify the perpetrators behind the killings of three other men earlier this month.
The latest killings took place at Ndeotadi village in Bogobaida district, Paniai regency; the three victims have been identified as Chief Warrant Officer Sunaryo, 51, a member of Paniai Military District Command; Rosmini, 28, and Aco, 18.
"They were found dead with wounds all over their bodies," Paniai Police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Anthon Diance, said by phone on Saturday.
The police as usual are still in the dark over the motive and the perpetrators behind the brutal killings, and according to Diance, the case is still being investigated.
The three bodies were flown to Nabire aboard a Gatari Air Service plane and were immediately rushed to Nabire General Hospital for post mortems. Diance confirmed that the three were discovered at Sunaryo's kiosk, which was also his home.
"Usually, the kiosk opened at 6 a.m., but that day it still hadn't opened by 8 a.m. Local residents who had arrived to buy staples knocked on the door but there was no response. They then reported the case to a nearby police post," Diance said.
Officers later forceably opened the door and found the three victims dead, covered in severe wounds. "The police are currently investigating the case. The victims' family members have been making funeral arrangements," he added.
Previously, Papua caretaker governor, Syamsul Arief Rivai, lamented the spate of unsolved killings allegedly carried out by armed secessionists in the province.
Yohanus Yanufrom, head of Sawio Tami village, was reportedly shot dead by a group of 20-30 armed people while riding a motorcycle from his village to Workwana on July 1.
The group also targeted a military motorcade, with Col. Indarto, the head of the 431/Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserves Command) battalion, having his car strafed with gunshots. Bullets smashed the car's windows, injuring his driver.
Syamsul appealed to the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to deal thoroughly with the incident, saying that justice must be done in order to retain public trust in the security apparatus.
He also called for all community elements to help preserve security. "If security prevails, people in Papua will feel safe," he said.
A civilian was killed and another wounded on Wednesday (July 4) by an unidentified group of assailants in Siepkosi village, Walelagama district, Jayawijaya regency.
Ahmad Zaini, a 35-year-old ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, was fatally stabbed at around 10 a.m., while another ojek driver, Salahudin, 38, was injured in the indiscriminate attack.