TNI Responds to Allegations of Personnel Burning Residents' Houses

jpnn.com, PAPUA - Indonesia Military (TNI) Commander of Korem 172/PWY, Brigadier General Izak Pangemanan, has responded to the allegations circulating on social media that say members of the force had set fire to residents' houses in Kiwirok, Bintang Mountains, Papua.

According to him, the rumors are completely untrue.

"It is not true that members of the TNI and the National Police are burning people's houses as circulated on social media. So far, it has been armed civilian groups that burn and destroy various facilities in Kiwirok," Izak said in Jayapura on Saturday (23/10).

He suspected that armed group led by Lamel Taplo had carried out attacks on civilians and burned and damaged various buildings in Kiwirok since mid-September 2021. The group, he added, had allegedly persecuted health workers and killed one person.

The group also did the same in Okhika, Izak said.

In the two districts, he said, there were no longer civilians, including non-indigenous people, because they had been evacuated to Jayapura and Oksibil.

According to him, the photos circulating depicting the burning in Kiwirok were deliberately circulated by irresponsible parties.

"I have checked in Kiwirok, and it is reportedly conducive," he added. (between/mcr20/jpnn)

This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: TNI Polri Dituding Bakar Rumah Warga, Brigjen Pangemanan Beri Jawaban Tegas!