Surabaya – Scores of Papuan students in East Java provincial capital of Surabaya held a protest action on Wednesday December 10 to express their concern over the clash between civilians and security forces in Enarotali, Papua.
Chaos broke out when police tried to push demonstrators aside who had formed a circle in front of the East Java governor’s office. As well as causing traffic congestion, the action also had to be moved to one side because hundreds of workers had also arrived at the site to hold a protest. Police also had to completely close of Jl. Gubernur Suryo.
Despite being asked to move aside, the Papuan student held their ground and even became more spirited while shouting unique slogans of the Papua movement.
“Our skins are black, our hair is curly, but we also have the right to express our views here”, said action coordinator Stefanus from the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP).
Stefanus said that the protest was an act of solidarity with Papuan people. The group said that the shooting that occurred in Enarotali is a bad president for the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (Jokowi-JK), particularly since the shooting is believed to have been committed by a joint unit of military and police.
Because of this therefore, the protesters are calling on security forces to immediately leave the land of Papua. “This tragic shooting is a Christmas ‘gift’ from the administration of Jokowi-JK to the Papuan people”, they said.
The clash between civilians and security forces at the Karel Gobai Square in the village of Madi, East Paniai district, Paniai regency, Enarotali, occurred on Monday December 8. As a result of the incident, five civilians were killed. The police have deployed a team to investigate the clash.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the report was Mahasiswa Papua: Penembakan di Enarotali, ‘Kado’ Natal Pemerintahan Jokowi-JK.]
