The following is a summary of two messages (translated) received today from a group in West Papua.
Military harrass villagers in search for OPM - March 4, 1998 A military operation has been underway in the Wissel Lakes area of West Papua (L. Paniai, Tigi and Taga) since August 1997. Troops from a S. Sulawesi unit are huntung for Thadeus Yogi – one of the OPM leaders who they believe to be hiding in the forests. Hundreds of soldiers are spread out through the forests where local people use for collecting firewood, hunting and other activities. They are now completely unable to use the forests and are living in fear.
The problem not only affects people in the Wissel Lakes area, but also as far as Kamu (Moeanemani) and Mapia. Anyone going to the interior of the Paniai area who is not carrying a travel warrant is questioned or even struck by the military.
The troops sometimes raid local people's gardens or take their livestock. It is not uncommon for them to "pester" (lit) women and others. They have also held a number of people who they accused of protesting against their raids. The victims were beaten and accused of being supporters of Thadeus Yogi. These include Rufus Giay from the village of Diyai and Videlis Bukega from Okomokebo (in Waghete) who were arrested for apparently having false documents. The two men who only have primary education have no idea who these are or who prepared them. Nevertheless, they are still in detention at the millitary headquarters in Waghete.
There are many other similar cases, but people are afraid to speak out due to intimidation by the military.
Although the army is searching for Thadeus Yogi in the forest, he may be moving from village to village. The remains of tinned food and imported cigarettes plus an incriminating letter bearing the signatures of Thadeus and the local military commander have been found in places where he is supposed to have stayed. Locals suspect that the military may be using Thadeus for their own purposes – such as seeking promotion or supplementing their incomes – at the expense of innocent civilians.
Community leader shot by military after family row
A family row resulted in bloodshed by the military in the village of Utekini, Tembagapura, West Papua on 3rd March 1998. Pegabus Waker (47), who is a leader of the Dani community and a LEMASA supporter, lost his temper with some young men in his family because they had been womanising. He stormed out of his house with his bow and arrows shouting and threatening his relatives.
However, he was confronted by dozens of troops and Freeport workers who have been trying to force some 350 families from that village to undergo immediate resettlement to a transmigration site. These people thought he was threatening them. Without any warning, military commander Dan Ramil took out his revolver and shot Waker in the foot. The victim collapsed in pain and was rushed to hospital in Tembagapura. Dan Ramil claimed he was aiming for the ground, but eye witnesses dispute this.
A member of the community who did not want to be named said "Pegabus Waker is a leader of our community and has consistently strongly opposed the forced resettlement of the inhabitants of Utekini and Pindah Baru by Freeport who are working with the army and the local government. This is just a warning to other community leaders in order to silence the people's opposition".