Jayapura, Jubi – Students from Dogiyai Regency, Central Papua, currently studying in Jayapura have issued a public statement regarding the series of incidents that took place in Dogiyai between March 31 and April 2, 2026.

The statement was delivered by the Dogiyai Student Association during a free speech forum held in the Abepura Circle area, Abepura District, Jayapura City, on Monday (May 11, 2026).

The students stated that at least five civilians were killed and three others suffered gunshot wounds during security sweeps conducted by Indonesian security personnel in the area.

The sweeping operation was carried out after the killing of a police officer, identified as Jufentus Edowai, who was found dead with multiple machete wounds in Moanemani on the morning of March 31, 2026.

Field coordinator Fredi Pigai said the killing triggered sweeping operations by Indonesian National Army Forces (TNI) and (Indonesian National Police) Polri personnel, which allegedly resulted in civilian casualties.

Those killed were identified as Siprianus Tibakoto (19), who was shot in the chin in Ikebo Village; Yulita Pigai (70), who died after being shot in the thigh during a security sweep in Ikebo Village; Martinus Yobe (12), an elementary school student who died after being shot in the abdomen in Ekemanida Village; Angkian Edowai (19), who was fatally shot in the chest in Kimupugi Village; and Ferdinand Auwe (19), a youth from Puweta II who died after being shot in the thigh in Ikebo Village.

Meanwhile, the injured victims were identified as Maikel Waine (11), who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest that penetrated his left shoulder and remains in critical condition; Pigai Kikibi (19), who sustained gunshot wounds to the heel and thigh; and Magapai Yobee (19), who was shot in the face.

The Dogiyai Student Association called for a full investigation into the shootings and demanded an end to what they described as arbitrary raids and arrests targeting civilians.

In their statement, the students also demanded legal accountability for the deaths of civilians in Dogiyai, condemned the shooting of children and elderly residents, and urged a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

They further called on the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) to investigate the killing of Bripda Jufentus Edowai so that the case would not be used to justify retaliatory operations.

Additional demands included evaluating security personnel accused of excessive use of force, providing support for victims’ families, withdrawing both organic and non-organic military personnel from Papua, rejecting military operations and the criminalization of civilians, and opposing the New Autonomous Regions (DOB) policy in Papua.

The students also urged the government to ensure the safe return of displaced residents and called for national and international solidarity in monitoring the humanitarian situation in Papua. They further demanded access for the United Nations and independent international parties to conduct investigations in the region.

Deputy field coordinator Melianus Tagai said the statement was not read aloud during the protest because no representatives from the Papua office of Komnas HAM attended to receive the students’ aspirations.

“As a result, we will hold a silent protest in front of the Komnas HAM office in Jayapura. We chose not to read the statement because we wanted Komnas HAM to come directly and hear our concerns,” he said.

Tagai argued that the humanitarian situation in Papua has persisted since the Trikora military operation in 1961, creating a prolonged cycle of violence, intimidation, and injustice.

“This is no longer merely a series of isolated incidents, but a humanitarian crisis that has created fear, suffering, and insecurity for our parents and younger generations,” he said. (*)