Police Refute Shooting Allegations in Papua's Tolikara Clash

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tolikara Police clarified the unrest that erupted in Mairini Village, Bokondini District, Tolikara Regency, Papua Pegunungan. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, reportedly left one resident dead.

Tolikara Police Chief Commissioner Roberth Hitipeuw stated that during the clash, police personnel attempted to intervene in a stone-throwing conflict between residents. However, their mediation efforts were ignored.

"Our personnel fired warning shots into the air," Roberth said via the WhatsApp messaging application on Friday, April 17, 2026.

He added that following the warning shots, the conflicting residents turned their aggression toward the police. At the time, only eight officers were on the scene. The attack left several officers injured, and a resident reportedly seized a police revolver.

The Tolikara Police subsequently deployed reinforcements and engaged religious, traditional, and community leaders to facilitate mediation. "The mediation was successful; the current situation is stable, and the seized firearm has been successfully recovered by our personnel," he noted.

Roberth refuted allegations that the police acted arbitrarily or were responsible for the victim's death. He clarified that the deceased succumbed to stab wounds. "Our personnel also suffered injuries, with four sustaining minor injuries from stone-throwing and one sustaining severe injuries from stab wounds," he explained.

Previously, the Indonesian Evangelical Church Council stated, based on field reports, that a resident named Elky Wunungga allegedly died after being shot by police who used force to disperse the unrest.

"There were no persuasive efforts; they arrived and opened fire, and the victim fell," said Eneko Bahabol, a staff member of the Council, via WhatsApp on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Following the incident, the situation in the Bokondini District remained tense, as residents from several neighboring villages stood guard and blocked off entry points to the settlement.

Read: Andrie Yunus Writes to Prabowo Seeking Civil Court, TGPF Formation

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News