Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army or TPNPB warned the Nduga Regent, Namia Gwijangge, and the 172 Praja Wira Yakthi (PWY) Military Resort Command commander, Brig. Gen. Juinta Omboh Sembiring, not to enter and build the Alguru Village in Krepkuri District, Nduga Regency. This was stated by TPNPB III-Derakma-Ndugama Defense Area Command leader Egianus Kogoya in a written statement on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.
“The TPNPB III-Derakma-Ndugama Defense Area Command on August 13, 2022, issued a warning on the plan of Nduga Regent Namia Gwijangge and 172 PWY commander Brig. Gen. JO Sembiring to enter and develop Alguru,” said Kogoya.
He said the warning was a response to Gwijangge and Sembiring’s statement on August 11, which said the Nduga Government was ready to cross the Kenyam River and build Alguru Village. Egianus Kogoya said that Alguru was the defense base of his troops.
“We as residents of Alguru Village reject the government’s agenda. The military leaders of TPNPB argue that if that happens, we will fight against the military and all parties involved. Alguru is our only base. The TPNPB war starts from Alguru. Opening Alguru as an immigrant village by force, is as good as looking for new problems, and deliberately creating programs in a war zone so that the allocation of state funds increases,” Kogoya said.
Kogoya emphasized that he and his troops would defend the Alguru area, and attack anyone who forces their way into the village. “Whoever plans and wants to seize our headquarters, think again before their men came back stiff and lifeless,” Kogoya said.
Kogoya said Alguru was not a village, it had long been a stopover for TPNPB leaders, including the late Kelly Kwalik, Yudas Kogoya, Elmin Silas Kogoya, and Daud Yiginap Lokbere. “Our leaders have inherited that the area from Momugu to the entrance to Lake Habema must remain untouched by the Indonesian government. The government can build in the Kenyam River next door,” he said.
Kogoya also criticized the security forces, which he considered forced Kenyam residents to make a statement about loving Indonesia on August 12 and be recorded. “The community was forced to swear a pledge of love for the Red and White [Indonesian Flag], then security forces took photos and recorded videos. This is reported to have happened in Kenyam, the capital of Nduga Regency,” he said.
Kogoya said the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police troops had taken over and controlled Kenyam Airport, hospital, bank, and all kiosks and shops in Kenyam. He said many civilians had fled Kenyam for fear of being interrogated by security forces.
“We demand the government stops all efforts and development programs that kill indigenous Papuans,” he said. Kogoya also emphasized that his party rejects the construction of telecommunications networks in Nduga.
On Tuesday, head of the Papua Police Insp. Gen. Mathius D Fakhiri said that the security situation in Papua is generally conducive. Fakhiri said the armed group led by Egianus Kogoya in Nduga Regency had left Kenyam, the capital of Nduga, and retreated to Alguru.
“Up until now, the situation is pretty conducive in several areas in Papua, except in Nduga, even though the TPNPB group has retreated to Alguru. Hopefully, Nduga can remain conducive as well,” Fakhiri said in Jayapura City on Tuesday. (*)
