Labor Day, AMP Demonstration Demands Free Papua Clashes Again with PGN
Labor Day, AMP Demonstration Demands Free Papua Clashes Again with PGN
May 1, 2023 16:41 PM
DEMO: Demonstration by the Papuan Student Alliance in the East Parking Lot of Niti Mandala Renon Field. Agubg Bayu/Bali Express
DENPASAR, BALI EXPRESS – The Papuan Student Alliance (AMP) held a demonstration during the May Day (Labor Day) moment at East Parking, Niti Mandala Renon Field, Denpasar, Monday (1/5) morning. The demonstration was marred by commotion with the Patriot Garuda Nusantara (PGN) community organization.
Based on the monitoring of the Bali Express Newspaper (Jawa Pos Group) in the field, there were around 30 AMP people who wanted to hold a demonstration in front of the Hang Tuah Roundabout, Renon at around 09.00. Before heading to the activity point, they gathered at the Renon Square East Parking. However, they faced challenges from PGN. Given the history of confrontation between the two parties that had clashed only a few weeks earlier, the situation immediately heated up.
So the security forces tried to lead the demonstrators back to their gathering point. Until there was tension again in the form of pushing each other. In the end, after tough negotiations, AMP delivered his oration which essentially demanded Papuan independence.
They rejected the presence of both TNI and Polri officers who were considered to have occupied their land. "Give a referendum opportunity, revoke special autonomy, and stop sending organic military troops to the land of Papua, because it is only a cover for using our land for the benefit of foreign investors," they shouted loudly.
In addition, the demonstrators considered that the facts related to the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) or the Free Papua Organization (OPM) had been distorted. These groups are said to be neither terrorists nor armed separatists, but rather exist to protect their lands from military occupation.
To secure the demonstration on May Day, the Denpasar Police sent hundreds of personnel.
Denpasar Police Chief Kombespol Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, who directly led the security, explained that there were 597 personnel consisting of a combination of the Denpasar Police, who were backed up by Dalmas Bali Police, Mobile Brigade, BKO Badung and Gianyar Police, Kodim 1611/Badung, Denpasar Satpol PP and Pecalang.
"There are two points that are the focus of security according to the results of the TFG Coordination Meeting involving BKO personnel. First, securing May Day activities simultaneously throughout Indonesia in front of the Governor’s Office and securing AMP (Papuan student alliance) activities in front of the Denpasar Renon roundabout," he said.
He asked all PAM personnel to be more patient and not easily provoked while on duty and to always act humanely.
Video footage
https://www.facebook.com/koranbaliexpress/videos/1255604245344569
West Papua Action Network 