Manokwari, Jubi – The coordinator of The Commission for the Disappeared and Victim of Violence (KonTras) Southwest Papua, Musa Mambrasar, said that residents of Banfot Village in Fef District, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua, remain internally displaced and are scattered across areas they consider safe.

Dozens of families, comprising hundreds of people, were previously reported to have fled to nearby areas after security forces carried out an operation in Banfot Village on March 18, 2026.

The operation followed an attack by unidentified individuals on four healthcare workers in Jokbu Village, Bamusbama District, Tambrauw, on March 16, 2026. Two of the health workers were killed, while the other two were injured.

Prior to that incident, a contract worker, Abraham Franklin Delano Kambu, was killed while traveling from Sorong to Fef District on March 8, 2026. His body was found the following day in Banfot Village with severe stab wounds

Mambrasar said he spent about a week in Fef District, the capital of Tambrauw Regency, where he met some of the displaced residents.

“Some of the displaced people we met expressed fear and trauma due to the actions of security forces, making them afraid to return to their villages,” Mambrasar said in a press release on Tuesday (May 5, 2026).

According to him, some of the internally displaced persons have even expressed intentions to abandon their villages permanently and relocate elsewhere in search of safety.

He added that following what he described as indiscriminate arrests by security forces of 15 civilians, residents from Bamusbama, Banfot, Bano villages, and Salin hamlet fled their homes.

He alleged that during the arrests, several houses were dismantled, and residents faced intimidation and acts of violence.

Mambrasar also criticized local stakeholders, particularly the Tambrauw Regional Legislative Council (DPRK), for what he described as inaction.

He said the DPRK office appeared largely inactive, noting that council members rarely stay in Fef except during meetings or budget discussions.

Mambrasar expressed disappointment, saying that as elected representatives, DPRK members should be at the forefront of protecting the community and institutionally advocating for security issues in Tambrauw.

He argued that both institutionally and personally, DPRK members should treat the situation as a humanitarian issue, especially given what he described as excessive law enforcement measures and arrests carried out without sufficient evidence.

“In addition to security situation in Tambrauw, we urge the DPRK to immediately hold a dialogue or public hearing involving all stakeholders, including the local government, church leaders, military and police officials, traditional leaders, youth, women, and Indigenous communities,” he said.

He added that such a forum is crucial to gather input and aspirations from various groups to ensure long-term security and stability for Indigenous communities as well as the functioning of governance in Tambrauw. (*)