Road Project Workers Attacked in Papua, 4 Dead Amid OPM Allegations

Four workers on a road construction project in Tolikara, Papua Pegunungan, Indonesia, were killed in an attack that local military authorities allege was carried out by the West Papua National Liberation Army (OPM). The incident occurred on Sunday (August 2nd) around 7:30 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIT) in the Kali Kabur area of Woniki District. According to the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih), the victims were employees of PT Sutan Harauli Jaya (PT SHJ), a company involved in building a road under the purview of the Wamena National Road Implementation Center (BPJN Wamena). Colonel Inf Tri Purwanto, Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, stated that investigations and field verifications by joint TNI-Polri forces confirmed the shooting was perpetrated by the OPM, led by Botak Wanimbo, along with the Teranus Enumbi group. "This action targeted workers of PT Sutan Harauli Jaya (PT SHJ) who were carrying out road infrastructure development in the area," Tri Purwanto said. The four deceased workers were identified as Arman Sibarani, Erlin Aritonang, Barengga (an indigenous Papuan), and Alfons. All were employees of PT SHJ, with Barengga being a local resident. Several other workers managed to escape the attack by fleeing towards Kanggime District, where they reported the incident to their company, which then alerted security forces. Joint forces, including personnel from Task Force Yonif 511/DY, Task Force Yonif 136/TS, Koramil Ilu, and Polsek Ilu, were dispatched to the location for evacuation operations. All victims, both deceased and survivors, were successfully evacuated from the scene. Three bodies have been taken to the Mulia Regional General Hospital in Puncak Jaya Regency, while one is at the Tolikara Regional General Hospital for further handling. No casualties were reported among the security forces during the evacuation. Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih strongly condemned the violent act by the OPM, stating, "This act not only threatens the safety of the community but also hinders efforts to accelerate development and improve welfare in the Papua region."