Jakarta – Newly appointed Papua Police chief Paulus Waterpauw said that he would continue the legal follow up of the Tolikara incident in Papua despite an announcement that the conflicting sides had made peace.

"This [incident] must be legally processed, not just dealt with by a customary settlement," said Paulus as quoted by Antara news agency on Wednesday.

Previously on July 29, religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian groups in Tolikara gathered to sign a peace treaty, overseen by Papua's Interfaith Communication Forum (FKUB) head Lipiyus Biniluk, Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI) president Dorman Wandikbo, and Papua province Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) head Tonny Wanggai.

The closure resulting from the treaty, according to Paulus, would not last long and would not be accepted by certain groups. He said he would continue to search for the intellectual actors behind the incident.

Similar tones were also voiced by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Fahri Hamzah, both of whom want the legal process to proceed until a verdict on the actions of those responsible is reached in a courtroom.

"It is important to uphold the law. That is the sign of the state's involvement," Fahri said on Tuesday, before adding, "To forgive and reconcile in a customary way is another matter. What is important is for the legal process to proceed."

So far, the police have announced two suspects, JW and AK, who were involved in the attack during Idul Fitri celebrations in Tolikara. (rad/kes)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/12/tolikara-case-proceeds-despite-peace-treaty.html