Jayapura, Jubi – The Manokwari-based Institute for Research, Assessment and Development of Legal Aid (LP3BH) has called on police to ensure the protection of civilians following a recent exchange of gunfire in Maybrat, Southwest Papua.
The appeal came after LP3BH received information about a shootout that occurred in Kampung Sori, Aifat Selatan District, Maybrat Regency, on Sunday (March 22, 2026).
The incident also suggested that one member of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Task Force stationed at Sori Post in Maybrat was killed, while two others were injured and are currently receiving treatment at the Maybrat Pratama Regional General Hospital (RSUD).
The incident has also raised concerns over potential threats of violence facing residents of Kampung Sori, Aifat Selatan District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua.
“As Executive Director of LP3BH Manokwari, I urge local security authorities (Maybrat Police) to immediately provide legal protection and security for residents of Sori in the short term,” said LP3BH’s Yan C. Warinussy in a press release received by Jubi today.
“Security measures and investigative steps must ensure that residents of Kampung Sori and surrounding areas are protected from any form of violence, in the interest of humanity, in accordance with Indonesia’s Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights,” he added.
Previously, more than a dozen individuals were arrested by joint police and military personnel in Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua, on Tuesday (March 17, 2026).
The arrests were carried out a day after an attack by unidentified individuals on four healthcare workers in Kampung Jokbu, Bamusbama District, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua, which left two people dead on Monday (March 16, 2026) afternoon.
Those detained were identified by their initials as TY (28), LY (57), SY (19), AY (44), who is the head of Banfot village, MY (29), head of Bamusbama village, along with BY, AY, TY, WY (49), a civil servant, PY (49), and YJ.
At the time, Warinussy called on police and military personnel to prioritize peaceful approaches in handling incidents that may constitute legal violations, while upholding universally recognized human rights principles. (*)
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