More than 30 priests in the Indonesian province of Papua have called for a ceasefire between security forces and separatist rebels amid ongoing clashes that have forced thousands to flee their homes since October 28.

05 November 2021

Catholic priests speak at a press conference at a church in Timika on October 31 over an ongoing conflict in the Intan Jaya district of Papua where thousands have sought refuge in churches after that a two-year-old boy was killed in a shootout between government troops and pro-independence rebels. (Photo: AFP)

By Konradus Epa
More than 30 priests in the Indonesian province of Papua have called for a ceasefire between security forces and separatist rebels amid ongoing clashes that have forced thousands to flee their homes since October 28.

Nearly 6,000 people have sought refuge in the grounds of the local church in Intan Jaya district since last week, when a child was killed and another injured in an attack by army rebels. Papua National Liberation Party and the Free Papua Movement against a military post in Sugapa.

This prompted 33 priests from the Diocese of Timika to issue a joint statement on October 31 condemning the violence and calling for a ceasefire in the easternmost region of Indonesia which has seen a low-level insurgency. intensity against the Indonesian regime in recent decades.

“We are deeply concerned for the welfare of the refugees, so we call on both sides to declare a ceasefire,” they said.

They said the refugees were forced to flee to avoid being caught in the crossfire and because the rebels started to burn people’s homes.

Papua police spokesman Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said at least 5,850 people had taken refuge in several churches. About 2,400 were in St. Michael’s Church in Sugapa and 3,000 in a Catholic Church in Agapa. Hundreds more were scattered in other churches in the district.

The priests urged the two sides to engage in dialogue to end the violence so that people can return to their homes.

Father Saul Wanimbo, chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Timika, said innocent people were victims of the conflict, saying the army is not helping by stationing soldiers among civilians as civilians risk being killed. be caught in the crossfire. in the event of an attack. –ucanews.com