Jayapura, Jubi – Six activists from the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) were reportedly arrested by the Jayapura District Police (Polres) in Jayapura, Papua, and seven others were injured after allegedly after being assaulted by police.

The arrests and alleged assaults occurred as the KNPB activists and the ordinary people gathered to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and distribute flyers for a peaceful demonstration commemorating World Human Rights Day on December 10 at the BTN Matoa Sentani Field in Jayapura on Saturday December 6.

A written press release received by Jubi it said that the protesters were beaten when the KNPB chairperson and activists were attempting to negotiate with the police. The police however instead assaulted them using lengths of rubber and bamboo sticks.

"From 8.20 am Papua Time (WP) to 9.53 am WP, several KNPB members and members of the public from various sectors arrived at the BTN Matoa field. At 10.56 am WP, police officers approached the crowd and activists. Negotiations were attempted, however the police deployed personnel who indiscriminately attacked the KNPB activists", the KNPB wrote in a press release received on Saturday.

According to the KNPB, at 11.03 am WP all of the activists and people at the location were assaulted, some were even intimidated and arrested. Police then took six KNPB activists and two motorcycles to the Jayapura District Police Station.

The activists reportedly assaulted by police included Fengky Kogoya (split lip), Dortius Tengket (split lip), Lukas Deal (struck on the back of the head), Thyna Lokon (struck on the back of the head causing bleeding), Rambo Wenda (struck on the head and suffering an injured hand), Erson T Kalaka (struck on the arm) and Elky Matuan (struck on the arm).

Meanwhile the activists who were arrested were Yanius Wuyndam, Nando Pase, Melky Pase, Agus Deal, Demanus Deal and Nesta Enambere.

Meanwhile, Jayapura District Police Chief Assistant Superintendent Umar Nasatekay stated in a text message sent to Jubi that based on information received, the event at the Evangelical Church of Indonesia College of Theology (STT GIDI) Sports Centre was a Christmas invitation.

"In accordance with the invitation it was for Christmas, there was an appeal to come wearing casual attire for Christmas. But they came in camouflage clothing and carried KNPB flags, which isn't Christmas. So, they created the situation themselves, we were just providing security", said Nasatekay.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Enam Aktivis KNPB Ditangkap, Tujuh Lainnya Terluka".]

Source: https://jubi.id/rilis-pers/2025/enam-aktivis-knpb-ditangkap-tujuh-lainnya-terluka/