Larius Kogoya, Jayapura – Papua Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) staff member Imanus Komba and Kolki Gwijangge, a participant at a peaceful demonstration urging that mining company PT Gag Nikel's permit be revoked, were arrested by police at the Abepura traffic circle in Jayapura city, Papua, on Thursday June 12.
Komba is a legal assistant who was acting for dozens of demonstrators consisting of students and youth that are members of the Southwest Papua Youth Alliance. Komba said that he was at the demonstration to accompany the peaceful protesters because he was given a power of attorney by his institution.
"For around 20 minutes, the action went well. Then the Abepura Kapolsek [sectoral police chief ] and the Abepura Polsek Kanit Intel [sectoral police intelligence unit head] arrived. They came to negotiate and then they said the action had to be stopped. I then asked what the reason was that the action had to be stopped. They said it was because a permit had [not] been issued", said Komba.
According to Komba, without any reason he was put in a chock hold by police officers and dragged away, then taken to the Abepura Polsek. Komba claimed that he was beaten with strips of solid rubber on his legs and body.
"They immediately pulled my clothes and several members [police officers] dragged me along the street. I was pulled, my shirt came off. I was with one of the students who was detained today at the Polsek here", he said.
Komba said that after about 20 minutes at the Abepura Sectoral Police he and Gwijangge were released. Komba then continued to accompany the protesters.
Meanwhile, Abepura Sectoral Police Chief Commissioner Komarul Huda said that the security forces provided space for students to convey their aspirations on nickel mining in Raja Ampat regency, Southwest Papua.
He said however that protest actions should be peaceful because Jayapura city is the economic centre of the region. The Papua LBH however appeared to provoke the students and they were worried that this could cause friction between security forces and demonstrators, so that Komba and a demonstrator were secured and taken to Polsek.
"I told the members to just secure them until the situation becomes conducive. I think it's natural for students to convey their aspirations, because it's protected by law and we understand that", said Huda.
Huda said that although conveying aspirations is guaranteed by law, there is a time limit. The police did not want anything undesirable to happen, so they tried to anticipate this.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Staf LBH Papua Dan Seorang Demonstran 'cabut Izin PT Gag' Di Abepura Ditangkap Polisi".]
