December 15, 2011
The Free Papua Organization says 14 of its members died when the police raided one of its sites in the district of Paniai on Tuesday.
Leo Yeimo, spokesman for the Paniai chapter of the outlawed rebel group known as the OPM, said on Thursday that the bodies of all those killed had been evacuated from the group’s former headquarters in Eduda. The site has since been transformed into a police station.
“We were constantly attacked by Indonesian security forces from the land as well as from helicopter. They even fired randomly at our headquarters, so many people fell victim,” he said.
“We are still being pursued [on Thursday],” he said. “Helicopters are constantly looking for our hideouts. We know the terrain better so we will fight until the last drop of blood we have, we will never surrender.”
Leo said six OPM guerillas had been badly injured in the police raid. He identified the injured as Paskalis Kudiai, 15; Martinus Kudiai, 30; Amandus Kudiay, 43; Daud Mote, 40; Yohan Yogi, 21; and Mon Yogi, 20. All six suffered gunshot wounds.
It is unclear what if any treatment they are receiving.
Leo said that the group’s leader, John Magay Yogi, escaped the raid unharmed.
“The bodies of those who were killed have been evacuated to the forest and have been buried at our current hideout,” he said.
The OPM spokesman said the guerrillas would launch an attack against security forces if they continued to harass civilians.
“If you are looking for us don’t threaten the people. Villagers have had enough, they are scared of security officials and fleeing their villages,” he said.
Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Wachyono said he could not confirm the OPM claims.
“We don’t know if there were casualties on the [OPM] side. What is clear is that they were attacked because they attacked us first,” he said. “We will not tolerate any insurgency.”
Wachyono said the police had confiscated two assault rifles and 53 rounds of ammunition as well as dozens of sharp weapons and bows from the OPM base.
He said officers also seized combat gear and hundreds of documents and separatist paraphernalia, including an outlawed Morning Star Flag, a symbol of Papuan independence.
Supplies for the newly minted police station are being airlifted in because the surrounding area is not yet secure.
Police have intensified their crackdown on the OPM after a recent series of suspected guerrilla attacks in the province left five officers dead.
Reports of violence in Paniai district have increased dramatically in recent weeks, with security forces launching a renewed offensive there.
According to people living in Eduda, more police officers and military soldiers poured into the area on Tuesday and Wednesday, displacing a number of civilian residents.
(from the JG)
( well here we go again, Aceh all over again. siK)
do 15 dec 2011 - 20:05