Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Tolikara Police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Soeroso, has been reassigned following the recent riot, which saw angry masses burn down kiosks and a musholla (small mosque), during the Idul Fitri holiday on July. 17.
Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Albert Rudolf Rodja led the handover ceremony from Soeroso to new Tolikara Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Musa Korwa at the Papua Police headquarters in Jayapura on Monday.
Soeroso, who had been stationed at Tolikara for nine months, has been appointed as the region supervisory and operational inspector. Soeroso's successor Musa Korwa was formerly responsible for security at giant mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
However, Rudolf Rodja denied that the replacement of Soeroso related to the recent incident in Tolikara, saying that Soeroso had successfully maintained security in the area.
"It's a routine replacement, nothing to do with the Tolikara incident. [Soeroso] was replaced and promoted to a new position that required an official who has previously been a police chief," Rodja claimed.
However, National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate chief Budi Waseso said the replacement of the Tolikara Police chief was the Papua Police chief's decision.
"I think [he] was not sacked for any reason except internal processes. Probably [the replacement] was made based on certain needs. Maybe, there were mistakes leading up to the incident," Budi was quoted by tribunnews.com as saying at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta on Monday.
Meanwhile, Papua Police were continuing their investigation into the incident. Two Tolikara residents, identified only as AK, 26, and JW, 31, have been named suspects in the incident in which one crowd member was shot dead by police.
Both suspects, currently detained at Papua Police headquarters, admitted that they, along with others, threw stones during the incident.
Papua Police chief Isp. Gen. Yotje Mende said the provincial police took over the case as it was a major incident. He said the police had examined 68 witnesses, 11 of them civilians, 31 police officers and 24 victims.
As investigations continue, local Muslim and Christian communities have reached a new peace agreement.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hosted Tolikara religious leaders at the Presidential Palace a few days ago, in an effort to mediate and establish peace.
Leaders from various religions in many parts of the country have since released statements aimed at preventing similar conflicts in their respective areas.