A provincial legislator from Yapen Island , Erwin Reinaldi Kbarek (Jubi)
Jayapura, 8/2 (Jubi) – Some residents in two villages on Yapen Islands have fled their homes following a firefight security forces and and an armed group earlier this month.
A provincial legislator from Yapen Island , Erwin Reinaldi Kbarek said, after the firefight on February 1 in in Sasawa and Kawana villages, Yapen Island, residents had lived in fear.
“Yes residents are traumatized and afraid to go about their activity. They prefer to stay at home. We hope that the security apparatus are adopting a persuasive approach in solving the problems in the region, ” said Kbarek on Saturday (8/2).
He said if indeed groups with opposite views should be embraced, not oppressed.
“They are members of our communities too. They just happen to have opposing or different views,” he said.
“The police in charge of public security and order should be able to guarantee security for the people there, so that there is no longer fear,” said Kbarek.
Papua police chief Inspector General Tito Karnavian confirmed that Sasawa and Kawana had taken refuge in neighbouring villages following the fighting there.
“Despite the situation, we continue to coordinate with the the regent, chairman of the local council as well as local community leaders in order to communicate with groups of armed civilians,” said Tito said.
“From the mapping results, there are three different armed groups on the islands of Yapen, each led by Rudi Orari, Fernando Warobay and Erik Makatori,” he said. (Jubi/Arjuna/Frans)
