MIMIKA – Violent clashes between supporters of regional head candidates in Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, have resulted in casualties and significant losses. The conflict, which took place from November 27, 2024, to April 4, 2025, left 12 people dead and hundreds injured. Head of Operation Peace Cartenz-2025, Police Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, accompanied by Deputy Head of Operation Police Commissioner Adarma Sinaga, stated that the clashes involved supporters of Candidate Pair 01 and Candidate Pair 02, with eight of the fatalities coming from the Paslon 01 group.
In addition to the fatalities, 658 people were injured by arrows—423 of them supporters of Paslon 01 and 230 from Paslon 02. The material damage was also significant, with 201 buildings burned down. Among them were 196 residential houses, one elementary school, several government offices, and a political party office. Brig. Gen. Faizal stated that some of the victims were allegedly shot by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) that took advantage of the political tensions during the election period.
In response to the situation, Brig. Gen. Faizal emphasized the importance of maintaining security stability amid rising tensions. He urged the public to uphold order and not be provoked by parties seeking to escalate the conflict. “Security is our shared responsibility,” he said. The appeal was delivered as a preventive measure to avoid further violence and to support the creation of peace and continued development in Puncak Jaya Regency.
