Jayapura – Personnel from the Puncak Jaya Police Resort are currently conducting an investigation regarding a violent clash between two opposing supporter groups, which later escalated to Kali Mati Field in front of the District Office, Pagaleme. The clash was reportedly triggered by an incident involving the burning of a house belonging to a former council member who is also a supporter of one of the groups.
The incident occurred on Wednesday (March 2, 2025), resulting in several individuals from both groups sustaining injuries, and multiple homes being set on fire.
Chief Commissioner of Police Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, S.H., S.I.K., M.Kom., Head of Public Relations for the Papua Regional Police, confirmed the incident when contacted.
“It is true, a violent clash broke out between rival supporter groups in the area stretching from Usir Belakang to Kali Belakang, Kampung Usir. Personnel from Puncak Jaya Police Resort, including the Deputy Police Chief and the Head of Operations, initially responded to a reported fire incident, and then to the ongoing clash,” said the Chief Commissioner of Police.
Separately, the Chief of Puncak Jaya Police Resort, Police Adjunct Senior Commissioner Kuswara, S.H., S.I.K., M.H., stated that during the clash, police personnel attempted to disperse the rioting groups using non-lethal firearms.
“At around 16:15 Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), a gunshot was heard, allegedly fired by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) towards Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel conducting a sweep operation in the Kali Belakang area of Kampung Usir, which resulted in a shootout,” said the Police Chief.
He further explained that the clash was brought to a halt following a sweep operation conducted by the Mobile Brigade Task Force and Puncak Jaya Police personnel, who detained two individuals carrying two long-barreled firearms near Kali Belakang, Kampung Usir.
“Afterward, all personnel from the Puncak Jaya Police Resort and Mobile Brigade, led by the Head of Operations, departed the clash site in Kampung Usir Belakang and moved to the second location of the clash at Kali Mati in front of the Pagaleme District Office,” he continued.
The Police Chief added that, according to preliminary data, two houses were burned, along with six honai (traditional Papuan houses), and 59 individuals suffered arrow-related injuries during the conflict.
