WILL WE EVER LEARN
Despite the shocking history of East Timor and the unncessary massacres that the world's powers facilitated and watched, it's all happening again. Indonesia has brought over 11,000 troops to West Papua (its colony since 1969) in recent months and intimidation, torture and massacres are becoming increasingly common. The official Irish government stance is to respect the sovereignty of Indonesia and hope that dialogue between Indonesia and Papuan 'separatists' can resolve the inevitable turmoil. Ridiculous!
Shootings in Jalenga Village, 5th November 2003
By WPNews Nov 6, 2003, 05:54
DEMMAK Report
6th November 2003
Shootings in Jalenga Village, 5th November 2003
The following photos of the victims of the Jalenga incident are from Cendarwasih Pos on 5th November 2003. Although names have been given, information sent to WPNews from DEMMAK in Wamena reports some names differently. See below.
It has been reported that about 200 TNI troops went to the village of Jalenga near Pyramid at about 03.00 in the morning of Wednesday 5th Novemeber. They entered houses and started shooting everywhere. 10 people are believed to have been killed, at least 4 of whom are believed to be civilians whilst some of the others are known OPM soldiers. At least 6 others were injured and some reports state that amongst these was a six year old boy.
The names of those killed we believe to be:
1. Yosep Gombo.
2. Yonius Wanimbo.
3. Samuel Tabuni.
4. Yustinus Murib.
5. Lenius Telenggen.
6. Nair Telenggen.
7. Tingkap Tabuni.
8. Ararik Murib.
9. Niur Murib.
10. Ubah Telenggen.
The names of some of the injured are:
1. Luk Tabuni
2. Ebener Murib
3. Yunus Telenggen
4. Lepinus Murib
5. Tonius Jigi Murib
Cendarwasih Pos reported that a six year old boy called Urius Jikwa was also injured.
Some of the names here are different to those issued by the Media and TNI who are being accused of false reporting. This information has been collected by DEMMAK sources and is an initial report, the army are still controlling the area, restricting movement and refusing people access to the bodies.
Contrary to some media reports this attack is not connected to the shooting of a construction worker in Ugima village Paniai district which is more than two weeks walk from Jalenga. The Jalenga incident is believed to follow an informant giving information to TNI of the whereabouts of OPM soldiers who they believe to be responsible for the April 4th attack on the Wamena armoury. We have also been informed that TNI reports of finding weapons on the men are false.
The suspected informant is said to have been paid 50,000,000 Rp for the information. The TNI have used local Papuans to give information and to create conflict and tensions between Papuans.
The highland community including NGO’s and church groups had already requested that there be no more violence following the Wamena arms raid and subsequent terrorizing of multiple villages by the TNI. The community stated that Indonesia has laws and the state authorities should pursue the people responsible for the arms raid in accordance with these laws by bringing them to trial. Yesterdays shootings show once again the TNI operating with complete disregard for human life.