On 3 August 2024, members of the Sentani Regional KNPB (West Papua National Committee) and local community groups were forcibly dispersed by members of the Jayapura District Police in Sentani Town, Jayapura Regency, Papua province. The incident occurred as the groups attempted to conduct a highway cleanup initiative along Kehiran Road and other nearby areas. Despite the involvement of church leaders in negotiations, the police proceeded with the forced dispersal, deploying additional personnel and crowd control units (Dalmas) to the scene.
The events unfolded at approximately 7:58 am when police confronted the KNPB members and community volunteers while gathering for the cleaning activity of the highway around Kehiran Sentani. Similar groups planning to work on other parts of the road were also dispersed. As tensions escalated, church leaders arrived to mediate but were not successful in reasoning with the authorities.
At 8:07 am, additional police forces were deployed, including two Dalmas units. Despite negotiations, the situation culminated in a forced dispersal, compelling the community members to return to their homes. The incident is part of a pattern of police officers preventing indigenous Papuans from carrying out peaceful assemblies, particularly if such protests involve political groups representing opposing views to those of the government.
Police disperse community groups in Sentani on 3 August 2024
