TPNPB-OPM Warns Gov't to Evacuate Teachers, Medics from Conflict Zone Before Next Attack

March 26, 2025 | 05:17 pm

TEMPO.CO, Papua - The spokesperson of the central headquarters of the Free Papua Movement-Organisation of Papua Merdeka or TPNPB-OPM, Sebby Sambom, issued an ultimatum to the Indonesian government to immediately evacuate its citizens working in the conflict area of Papua.

Sebby requested that teachers and health workers sent by the Indonesian government to various regions of Papua should be returned immediately before the TPNPB militia launches another attack.

"We remind them to leave the conflict area immediately," said Sebby in a short voice message on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

He explained that the TPNPB militia rejected the presence of teachers and health workers in the Papua region. The reason being, they are considered as part of the intelligence of the Indonesian security forces.

Sebby and the TPNPB militia's assessment is based on the statement of the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), General Agus Subiyanto, who previously mentioned that his troops in Papua also served as teachers and health workers.

"We remind them that Yahukimo, Nduga, Intan Jaya, and Puncak Jaya are conflict areas. Leave immediately," he said.

When contacted separately, the Head of Information Center of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command Colonel Candra Kurniawan said that the TNI had evacuated dozens of teachers and health workers at several points in Papua.

These points include from the Heriapini, Kosarek, Ubalihi, Nisikni, Walma, and Kabianggam Districts. The teachers and medical personnel were flown to Jayapura via Wamena to avoid the risk of further attacks.

However, Candra denied that the teachers and medical personnel attacked by the TPNPB militia in Yahukimo were intelligence agents. He said the baseless allegations by the TPNPB were an attempt to play victim to cover up their attacks.

"This is their propaganda to cover their atrocity," said Candra.

Prior to this, on Friday, March 21, the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo militia launched an attack in Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. In this attack, six teachers were declared dead.

Candra Kurniawan said that the victims were burned alive by the TPNPB militia. According to Candra, the victims were burned while inside the school building.

"They (TPNPB) burned the school and the teachers' houses," said Candra.

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