Jayapura, Jubi – Four residents of Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, were reportedly detained by members of the Habema Task Force and Indonesian Marines on Wednesday, June 10.

Nifal Enggalim, Secretary of the Yahukimo Regional Committee of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), said the four civilians were detained by security personnel stationed at the Seredala Road Post in Kukamo Village, Yahukimo Regency, and were released on Thursday.

According to Enggalim, three pickup trucks were preparing to transport passengers from Base 88 to a gold-mining area on Wednesday morning.

The passengers carried various items, including fuel, basic necessities, and work equipment.

“The vehicle driven by Sapius Ou, carrying six passengers, was stopped by members of the Habema Task Force and Marines at the Seredala Road post,” Enggalim said in a written statement on Friday.

He said security personnel inspected the passengers’ belongings after receiving intelligence reports alleging that members of the TPNPB Yallenang Battalion were among the passengers.

“All passengers were ordered out of the vehicle, told to raise their hands, and kneel while officers inspected their belongings. Four people were detained, while two others, including one woman, were allowed to return home,” he said.

According to Enggalim, those detained were Sapius Ou (25), a resident of Mekdua Village in Sela District; Beicham (27), a university student from Mekdua Village, Sela District; Alpini Sol (16), a high school student from Mekdua Village, Sela District; and Ober Magayang (25), a driver’s assistant from Hemuka Village, Sela District.

“Of the four young men detained, one individual, Beicham, was separated from the other three and taken to another location. Their belongings were inspected one by one, and the vehicle was thoroughly searched,” he said.

Enggalim alleged that the detainees were subjected to physical abuse. He claimed that Beicham was taken separately by vehicle to a riverside location, where he was allegedly beaten by Marines.

According to Enggalim, after the beating, Beicham was taken to the Seredala Post. Upon arrival, he reportedly complained of dizziness. Enggalim further alleged that Marines then used an electric shock device on him, causing him to lose consciousness.

“Marines allegedly assaulted him again using a wooden beam, striking his back. They continued the abuse and even placed a snake around his neck, making it difficult for him to breathe as it tightened around his throat,” he said.

Enggalim also claimed that Beicham was immersed in hot water and forced to confess to being a member of the TPNPB Yallenang Battalion. He said Beicham eventually admitted to the accusation under duress, after which the alleged abuse stopped.

“After independent parties and various stakeholders urged the Yahukimo Police to facilitate the release of the four civilians, Sapius Ou, Beicham, Alpini Sol, and Ober Magayang were eventually released from the Marine post. All four detainees are ordinary civilians,” Enggalim said.

The KNPB Yahukimo Regional Committee stated that any actions by military personnel, including both locally stationed and deployed forces, carried out without formal arrest and detention warrants as required under Indonesian law have angered local residents and prompted condemnation of what it described as military brutality. (*)