Members of the Jayawijaya district police reportedly arrested 32 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in the Ilekma Village of Napua District, Jayawijaya Regency, on 18 June 2021. The KNPB is a movement organisation that promotes the right to self-determination through non-violent means. The officers brought the activists to the Jayawijaya district police headquarters in Wamena and interrogated them there.
The police detained the activists (see photo, source: YKKMP) until the following day but released them within 24 hours because investigators could not find sufficient evidence for the involvement in any criminal offence. According to the police, the KNPB activists were in Jayawijaya Regency to plan a conference that would take place in the Yalimo Regency. The KNPB members originated from the regencies Sorong, Fakfak, Boven Digoel, Yahukimo, Yalimo, Nduga and Mamberamo Tengah (see table below).
Table with KNPB members arrested on 18 June 2021 in Ilekma Village
No |
Name |
Gender |
Regency of origin |
1 |
Nalia Yare |
Male |
Sorong |
2 |
John Ramat |
Male |
Sorong |
3 |
Yulia Heluka |
Male |
Sorong |
4 |
Bernard Yadanfi |
Male |
Sorong |
5 |
Petrus Momot |
Male |
Sorong |
6 |
Frans Kaaf |
Male |
Sorong |
7 |
Marius Asso |
Male |
Sorong |
8 |
Nathaniel Kaninggai |
Male |
Fakfak |
9 |
Merkon Kramandondo |
Male |
Fakfak |
10 |
Luke Gredenggo |
Male |
Fakfak |
11 |
Samuel Heremba |
Male |
Fakfak |
12 |
Antonius Gewab |
Male |
Fakfak |
13 |
Jermias Tikwenem |
Male |
Boven Digoel |
14 |
Aminus Balonga |
Male |
Yahukimo |
15 |
Erson Bahabol |
Male |
Yahukimo |
16 |
Melky Magayang |
Male |
Yahukimo |
17 |
Eminus Bahabol |
Male |
Yahukimo |
18 |
Nofer Keroman |
Male |
Yahukimo |
19 |
Theonius Loho |
Male |
Yalimo |
20 |
Yakop Wandik |
Male |
Yalimo |
21 |
Roni Kepno |
Male |
Yalimo |
22 |
Yulianus Walenggen |
Male |
Yalimo |
23 |
Yeri Mabel |
Male |
Yalimo |
24 |
Ortis Mabel |
Male |
Yalimo |
25 |
Misik Buruangge |
Male |
Nduga |
26 |
Noe Tabuni |
Male |
Nduga |
27 |
Nerowap Gwijangge |
Male |
Nduga |
28 |
Nias Gwijangge |
Male |
Nduga |
29 |
Keage Gwijangge |
Female |
Nduga |
30 |
Dolia Buruangge |
Female |
Nduga |
31 |
Wimbuok Polona |
Male |
Mamberamo Tengah |
32 |
Karmin |
Female |
Mamberamo Tengah |