Jayapura – A peaceful demonstration by Papuan people and students mediated by the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) at Sentani Post 7 and the Waena State Housing Company (Perumnas) III on Saturday August 15 was forcibly dispersed by security forces from the Jayapura and Sentani Municipal Police (Polres) and the Papua Regional Police (Polda).
The peaceful demonstration was commemorating the New York Agreement on August 15, 1962, which is deemed to be procedurally and morally flawed. The Papuan people view it as a geopolitical transaction by foreign powers, disregarding the Papuan people's right to self-determination.
It also resulted in the massive displacement of Papuans and the excessive deployment of military personnel which has led to militaristic actions.
A number of students who had gathered on the road near the Sentani Post 7 were approached by police and Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers who urged them to disperse at the count of ten.
The protesters were then attacked with rattan canes and forced to disperse, as they were deemed to have no permit to protest.
A similar incident occurred at Waena Perumnas III in Jayapura city. Students and protesters who had gathered since Saturday morning were eventually forced to disperse by police and Brimob officer.
The forced dispersal occurred because the officers refused to allow the protesters to proceed to Abepura traffic circle.
"The police refused to allow the protesters to proceed to the Abepura traffic circle, and then the protesters attempted to break through the police blockade. They then pushed them back with teargas and water cannons", explained one of the protesters from the scene.
Since the forced dispersal, police and Brimob officers have remained on guard at the Waena Perumnas III traffic circle. They have blocked the road using police shields, armoured water cannons (AWCs) and several tactical vehicles for crowd control.
Meanwhile, the protesters reassembled at the Cenderawasih University (Uncen) above the Waena Perumnas.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Massa Aksi Damai di Sentani dan Waena Dibubarkan Paksa dengan Gas Air Mata".]
