Local media outlets have reported another case of police violence in Asei Kecil, a small village in the Sentani Timur District of Jayaura Regency in Papua Province. On 15 April 2019 at 5.00pm, police brigadier chief A.K. came to Asei Kecil Village to meet with Apner Kaigere (36 years). At that time, Apner Kaigere was with his wife and his nephew Anderson Hengga (17 years). Officer A.K. was upset because Abner Kaigere allegedly demolished a house which was inhabited by officer A.K.’s parents. According to Mr. Kaigere’s wife, the house had been heavily damaged during the flash flood, which hit Sentani on 16 March 2019.
As the discussion escalated into a heated dispute, brigadier chief A.K reportedly punched Apner Kaigere and subsequently released two shots. Apner Kaigere sustained a bullet wound in the chest, while the second bullet hit Anderson Hengga in the buttocks. Both victims had to be hospitalized in the Dian Harapan Hospital in Jayapura. The chief of the Papuan Regional Police, Mr. Martuani Sormin confirmed the incident in a public interview. Officer Sormin stated that the perpetrator had allegedly been taken into custody on 16 April 2019 and will be investigated by the internal police security unit ‘PROPAM’. The state of the investigation against police brigadier chief A.K. is currently unclear.
