On the night of 16 July 2024, the Indonesian military shot dead Mr Tonda Wanimbo, head of Kalome Village in Mepogolok District, Mr Yotenus Wonda, head of Dokkome Village, and Mr Dominus Wonda, a recent graduate from Cenderawasih University, in the Mulia District, Puncak Jaya Regency. All three men, respected figures in their community, died at the scene as a result of gunshot wounds inflicted by members of the joint Military Task Force 753 from the Maleo and Elang military units.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 pm, while a West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) member, Mr Terinus Enumbi, was allegedly seen buying cigarettes in Mulia. According to the information received, security force members indiscriminately opened fire in front of the SD YPPG Mulia District school. Mr Terinus Enumbi was reportedly injured and managed to escape. The indiscriminate shooting resulted in the deaths of three civilians who were witnessing the incident as bystanders.
On the following day, angry relatives burnt six police and military vehicles after seeing the false statements on the national media. The community’s anger did not only concern security forces but also triggered a spontaneous outbreak of horizontal violence against non-Papuans living in the area, costing the lives of one non-Papuan and leaving three others injured. Spontaneous outbreaks of ethnic-horizontal violence in response to unlawful killings of indigenous Papuans have significantly increased over the past years as a result of marginalisation and discrimination of indigenous Papuans.
In response to the incident, the Indonesian military falsely claimed in the national media that the victims were members of the rebel group led by Teruinus Enumbi. Local leaders and the victims’ families quickly challenged the false statement. The relatives underlined that none of the three victims had any affiliation with the TPNPB.
Relatives and human rights defenders understood the false statement as an attempt to justify the killings and to avoid accountability for the perpetrators. The victim’s families, alongside community leaders and human rights organisations, called for a public apology and admission of error from the Indonesian military. They also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the 753 Military Task Force from Puncak Jaya and an independent investigation into the shootings. Additionally, they urged the military to cease spreading misinformation about the victims’ affiliation with the TPNPB. Indonesian authorities must ensure that justice is served for the victims and prevent such tragic incidents from re-occurring in the future.
Victims of extra-judicial execution in Mulia, 16 July 2024
Community members devastated police and military vehicles in Mulia, 17 July 2024
Statement by security forces following the shooting in Mulia on 16 July 2024
Relatives and community leaders speaking after shooting and outbreak of horizontal violence in Mulia
GIDI Church Statement
Police Investigation
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Mulia (-3.721203350803481, 137.95226721109313)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Puncak Jaya Regency, Mulia District
total number of victims: three
period of incident: 16.07.2024
perpetrator: other security forces
perpetrator details: Military Task Force 753 from the Maleo and Elang military units
Issues: extra-judicial killings, indigenous peoples
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Tonda Wanimbo | male | unknown | indigenous | execution |
| 1 | Yotenus Wonda | male | unknown | indigenous | execution |
| 1 | Dominus Wonda | male | unknown | indigenous | execution |
