Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Tolikara Regency People's Representative Council (DPRD) building on 6 July 2026, demanding a full investigation and accountability for the killing of Mr Korona Penggu, a 19-year-old civilian from Kimuggu Village, Telenggeme District. The victim's relatives believe that Mr Penggu was shot dead by Indonesian security force personnel on 27 June 2026 at the summit of Mount Mega (Kubu Belela) in Tolikara Regency. His body was concealed in roadside bushes and was not discovered until three days later.
According to the information received from local sources, Mr Penggu wanted to travel from Tolikara to Wamena on 27 June 2026. His family subsequently lost contact with him and began searching along the road connecting the two towns. They reportedly found his body at approximately 09:00 am on 30 June 2026 near the summit of Mount Mega (Kubu Belela).
Initial reports alleged that security force personnel pursued, detained and killed the victim before concealing his body (see photos below, source: independent HRD). Subsequent statements by the victim's family published on 2 July 2026 called on the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the police to initiate criminal proceedings against the perpetrators responsible for the killing.
On 6 July 2026, thousands of residents marched to the Tolikara Regency People's Representative Council (DPRD) building in Karubaga Town to demand justice for Mr Penggu and to protest what they described as continuing impunity for unlawful killings in the Papuan provinces. Protesters called on the Indonesian authorities to conduct an impartial investigation, prosecute those responsible, and ensure accountability for the killing. The demonstration followed public appeals by the victim's family urging the TNI Commander, the Governor of Papua Highlands Province, the Tolikara Regent, regional legislative bodies, and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to fulfil their legal obligations to investigate the case and uphold the victim's right to justice.
Human rights analysis
If members of the Indonesian security forces intentionally or unlawfully used lethal force against an unarmed civilian, the incident would constitute a serious violation of the right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party. International standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, require that lethal force may only be used when strictly unavoidable to protect life. The alleged concealment of the victim's body raise concerns regarding attempts to obstruct accountability. Under the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016), Indonesia has an obligation to conduct a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation capable of identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
The case also engages Indonesia's obligations under National Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights and the 1945 Constitution, which guarantee the protection and fulfilment of human rights, as well as the provisions of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) governing homicide and abuse of authority by public officials.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-099-2026
Region: Indonesia > Highland Papua > Tolikara > Karubaga
Total number of victims: 1
1. Korona Penggu, male 19 Indigenous Peoples execution, right to life, unlawful killing
Period of incident: 27/06/2026-27/06/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Perpetrator details: Damai Cartenz Police Task Force
Issues: Indigenous peoples, security force violence