Police stand in front of Mimika student dormitory at Jalan Kamp Wolker Perumnas I Waena, Jayapura – Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – On 8 March 2015 at 22:05 Papua time, the Internal Affairs working team of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP), Markus Haluk and the Central Executive Board of the Indonesia-Highland Student Association (DPP-AMPTPI) agreed to hold a discussion forum to update the current situation and latest development occurred in Papua.
DPP-AMPTPI was assigned to create a team to facilitate the public discussion with Markus Haluk as resource person.
The working team member Hendrikus Madai said since 8 March to 11 March 2016, the working team has done any relevant preparations for the success of discussion. Madai who’s also the Deputy Secretary General of DPP AMPTPI, said the discussion was planned to be held in Mimika student dormitory at Jalan Kamp Wolker Perumnas I Waena, Jayapura.
“After obtaining permission from Mimika student dormitory board, and chairs were set for the invitees, the invitation was sent to the activists, students and public via printed invitation letters, facebook, WhatsApp and SMS with expectation about 300-500 people would participate in the forum,” said Madai to Jubi in Mimika student dormitory’s yard on Saturday (12/3/2016).
He said several issues to be raised in the discussion are including the unity among Papuans, controversy on the opening of ULMWP Office in Jayawijaya Regency, and the extent of support by international community towards the struggle of Papuan people that represented by ULMWP to the update on current situation in Papua, which is through the seminar it would provide a good and factual understanding for Papuan people.
“But, unfortunately on the day the forum should be implemented, on Saturday (12/3/2016) at 08:40 Papua time, five equipped police officers came to Mimika student dormitory’s yard,” Madai explained.
Then, he added, they guarded the entry of student dormitory blocking the participants to enter the room. Meanwhile, police officers were standby at the outside of student dormitory. The Police parked 5 cars at dormitory’s yard while a car (Avanza) and police truck were parked at Perumnas 1 intersection.
“There were also officers not wearing the uniform and taking radio HT. I suggested they are police intelligent,” he said.
Deputy Committee Antonius Yohame said looking at the situation, he promptly made coordination with Markus Halus as key resource person from ULMWP and Secretary General AMPTPI as person in charge of the seminar and public discussion. “And they requested us (the committee) to cancel the event and people who were already in the room to dissolve themselves,” he said.
Jubi’s reporter had inquired to the police officers guarded in front of Mimika student dormitory, but they didn’t give any answers. (Abeth You/rom)
