On 12 November 2022, members of the police cracked down on civil unrest in the Dogiyai Regency, Papua Province (see videos below, source: independent HRDs). At least one person named Mr Felek Pigai was shot dead by police officers, while six others – all indigenous Papuans – were reportedly injured by bullets during the incident (see table below). The civil unrest was accompanied by outbreaks of horizontal violence between indigenous Papuans and non-Papuans, mainly against houses and stores owned by non-Papuans. At least one non-Papuan named Iqbal was killed in a mob attack, while another migrant was injured.
The civil unrest was triggered by a traffic accident. A truck bringing heavy construction materials hit four-year-old Noldy Goo (see photo below, source: independent HRDs) on the roadside in the Kamuu District, Dogiyai Regency. Noldy Goo died on the spot. The drivers reportedly fled the site of the crime and sought shelter at the Dogiyai Police Station. After the incident, angry Papuans set construction vehicles, houses and stores on fire. Police forces responded by dispersing the protesters with firearms.
According to the Papuan representative office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Mr Frits Ramadey, a 29-year-old truck driver named Iqbal, was killed in a mob attack (see photos below, source: independent HRDs) by Papuan residents shortly after the attack. Another non-Papuan, Mr Lukman, reportedly sustained a fractured arm and a stab wound after being attacked by an unknown Papuan perpetrator.
Twenty-seven houses, 51 stores, nine boarding houses, nine trucks, 20 motorbikes, and one excavator were allegedly damaged or burned during the unrest. In addition, the local population and civil registry office, the regency finance department, the local education department, the agency for village community empowerment, the environment office, the local financial and asset management agency, and the regency government inspectorate were set on fire.
On 16 November 2022, members of the local police carried out raids in the four villages Bukapa, Pustaka, Busana and Pouwouda in the districts Kamuu and Kamu Selatan. The police officers reportedly released warning shots during the raids. The villagers fled to neighbouring villages in fear of reprisals.
On 22 November 2022, police officers arrested the local chairman of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB), Mr Saugas Goo, in the Mauwa Village. The KNPB is a civil resistance movement that promotes the right to self-determination through peaceful means by organising demonstrations and public discussions. The police allege him of masterminding the arson of public facilities and houses. The KNPB understands the allegation as an attempt to criminalise its members for their political views.
Following the incidents, non-Papuans living in the Kamuu District came to the local police headquarters and called upon the police to provide special security services for members of the non-Papuan community (see photos below, source: independent HRDs).
Table of victims of police violence during the unrest
| No | Name | Additional information |
| 1 | Felek Pigai | 46 years, died as a result of a bullet wound on the upper back, which he sustained as police officers opened fire on residents using life ammunition |
| 2 | Delpina Pigai | 14 years, sustained slash wounds after being attacked with a sharp weapon |
| 3 | Pius Yobee | Sustained bullet wound near the pubic area |
| 4 | Obaja Tebai | Sustained bullet wound on the wrist |
| 5 | Agus Goo | Sustained bullet wound in the buttocks |
| 6 | Jendi Tabai | 18 years, sustained a bullet wound in the leg |
| 7 | Damian Anouw | Sustained a bullet wound on the hand due to a ricochet |
Mr Felek Pigai’s body
Noldy Goo’s (left, centre) and Mr Iqbal’s (right) bodies
Police officers crackdown on residents in Dogiyai
Non-Papuans living in the Kamuu District coming to the local police headquarters
Buildings and trucks destroyed during the civil unrest
Detailed Case Data
Location: Kamuu District
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Dogiyai, Kamuu
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Dogiyai, Kamuu
Total number of victims: 7
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Felek Pigai
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
execution
2.
1
Delpina Pigai
female
14
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
3.
1
Pius Yobee
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
4.
1
Obaja Tebai
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
5.
1
Agus Goo
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
6.
1
Jendi Tabai
male
18
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
7.
1
Damian Anouw
male
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
Perpetrator: Indonesian Police
Perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples, women and children