Jayapura, Jubi – The Papuan People’s Petition protesters who rallied in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, to reject the establishment of new autonomous regions in Papua and Papua’s Special Autonomy (Otsus) on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, were attacked by a group of people claiming to be a mass organization. They were attacked near the Papuan Student Dormitory on Lanto Daeng Pasewang Street, Makassar.
Initially, the Papuan People’s Petition planned to protest at the Mandala Monument, with around 40 students and activists attending to convey their aspirations of rejecting the Papua expansion plan and Otsus.
Field Coordinator Boas Bayage said that the masses of the Papuan People’s Petition gathered in the dormitory at around 07:00 a.m. local time. Police were seen guarding the dormitory starting at 08:30 a.m.
At 09:40 a.m., the protesters started to leave the dormitory. However, after walking only a few meters, they were immediately confronted by a group of people who claimed themselves as one of the mass organizations in Makassar.
This group of people immediately beat and threw stones at the Papuan People’s Petition protesters. They also attacked with wooden blocks and kicked protesters.
“The injured victims include Nagen Bayage, his index finger was injured. Walfer, the lower lip was bleeding and swollen. Andi was injured in the eyelid and forehead. Eli was injured in the back. Kemy Telenggen was injured in the thumb,” Bayage said.
The protesters persisted but then returned to the front of the dormitory. Instead of arresting the mass organization that conducted violence, the police asked protesters to enter the dormitory.
