Papua Cultural Festival Halted After Shooting Incident in Walesi Village

A shooting incident occurred on August 8 at the venue of the 34th Baliem Valley Festival (FBLB) in Walesi Village, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua, injuring two civilians. Police immediately secured the scene and are working to maintain community safety and order (kamtibmas). According to Jayawijaya Police Chief AKBP Anak Agung Made Satriya Bimantara, the incident took place around 12:45 PM local time near the festival's entrance gate. The shooting is suspected to have originated from the direction of the entrance gate, with the perpetrator possibly firing from the Kali Uwe area. Joint forces of police and the military are conducting search operations in the surrounding areas to narrow down the suspect's escape routes. The two injured individuals are Laode Muhammad Ojo, 43, and Salbia, 50. Ojo is believed to have sustained a gunshot wound to his right knee, while Salbia reportedly suffered injuries to her right thigh and the back of her right hand. Both received initial treatment at the Walesi Village health center before being transferred to Wamena General Hospital, where their conditions are currently stable. While the situation around the scene remains generally calm, police have recommended the regent, as the organizer, to halt the FBLB's proceedings as a precautionary measure to prevent further incidents. This cancellation also aims to provide space for authorities to focus on their investigation and the identification of the perpetrator. The 34th Baliem Valley Festival was scheduled to run for two days, from August 7 to August 8, in Walesi Village. Source: Liputan6