Children at Kondo village (Jubi/Frans Kobun)
Merauke, Jubi – Kondo Village located in the Naukenjerai Sub-district remained isolated, with access to the village still closed due to a dispute involving Marind people, who claim the road cuts through a sacred site.
“We respect many sacred places, including those located in the Kondo Village. We also heard their voice to not open the access road to their village,” Merauke Deputy Regent Sunarjo said on Saturday (1/11).
He added people who live in the Kondo Village wanted the government to open the access road from the Tomerauw Village to Kondo Village for assisting the local community to get access of land transportation, food supplies and other recent difficulties.
“I really understand about what they need. But the Merauke Regional Government could not make a decision. It must initiate a dialogue a dialogue with the Marind customary leaders to discuss this issue, since they are the land tenure owners in this village,” he said.
While the Merauke Regent Romanus Mbaraka in the meeting with the local community in the Kondo Vilalge a few months ago said the government could make a decision yet related to their request. “I can not explain more. It should ask the Marind customary leaders first. Once they agreed, the government must give prompt response ” he said. (Frans L Kobun/rom)
