Jayapura, Jubi – In response to the armed clash between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, Frits Ramandey, the Head of the Papua Representative Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua), stated that Yusak Sondegau (40), who lost his life during the incident, was a civilian.
“He cannot be verified as a TPNPB member. Until today, we consider him a civilian in Bilogai Village, Intan Jaya,” Ramandey made this statement in Jayapura on Tuesday (23/1/2024).
The armed conflict occurred from January 19 to 21, 2024, involving the TPNPB and TNI/Police in Intan Jaya. This conflict resulted in the death of First Brig. Anumerta Alfandi Steve Karamoy, a member of the Cartenz Peace Operation. Additionally, Yusak Sondegau lost his life during the armed clash.
Ramandey mentioned that they have communicated with the TPNPB, and according to their information, Yusak Sondegau was not a member of their group. He emphasized that an individual can be considered a TPNPB member if there is acknowledgment from the group’s leadership and tangible evidence, such as possessing firearms.
“I have checked with one of the groups, and they did not mention him as their network. Komnas HAM has not found these two pieces of evidence, so we consider him a civilian,” he explained.
Ramandey urged the TPNPB not to conduct sporadic guerrilla actions as it could trigger a stronger reaction from the security forces, affecting civilians. Security forces were also urged to carry out measured law enforcement operations without targeting civilians.
“Law enforcement operations must be measured. For instance, if the leaders [of TPNPB] have been identified. [And if there is an armed clash] in the midst of [civilian] settlements, unless there is sufficient evidence, such as [civilians] having firearms, then measured action can be taken,” he said.
On January 21, 2024, Col. Inf Candra Kurniawan SE MM, the Chief of Information of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Region, stated in a written announcement that the joint TNI/Police forces shot and killed one TPNPB member named Yusak Sondegau. The incident occurred during law enforcement operations when the forces observed seven TPNPB members carrying two long-barreled weapons from Baitapa Village to Kumbalagupa Sugapa, Intan Jaya.
“Subsequently, the TNI/Police took decisive action by shooting the armed TPNPB member, resulting in an exchange of fire. This incident led to the death of one TPNPB member, Yusak Sondegau, who was shot and killed. However, his weapon was taken and carried away by other TPNPB members,” he said.
On January 22, 2024, Bayu Suseno, the Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Peace Cartenz, stated that a civilian named Yusak Sondegau and a Brimob personnel, Briptu Alfando Steve Karamoy, died in a series of attacks since Friday. Bayu mentioned that Yusak Sondegau died from TPNPB gunfire.
On January 23, 2024, Gusby Wakerkwa, the Commander of the General Operations of the West Papua Army (WPA) or West Papua Liberation Army, denied the TNI/Police’s statement that they shot WPA or TPNPB members named Yusak Sondegau (40) and Apriana Sani. According to him, Yusak Sondegau and Apriana Sani were civilians.
Wakerkwa stated that TNI/Police shot Yusak Sondegau dead and inflicted serious injuries to Apriana Sani’s left hand. He emphasized that the combined Indonesian National Army (TNI) and Police forces shot civilians named Yusak Sondegau (40) and Apriana Sani in Sugapa, Intan Jaya, Central Papua Province, from January 19 to 21, 2024.
He clarified that both Yusak Sondegau and Apriana Sani were not WPA members but civilians shot by the TNI/Police, Indonesian terrorist forces here (Intan Jaya). He conveyed this information in a press release received by Jubi on Tuesday. (*)
