On 28 February 2024, around 10:30 pm, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) command Yonif 330 reportedly shot two indigenous Papuans, Selli Maiseni, 17, and Mr Mikalon Yoani, 26, in Mamba Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province. Selli Maiseni sustained a gunshot wound on the arm, while Mr Yoani was shot in the thigh (see photos below, source: WPCC). The incident occurred during the vote count for the Indonesian Legislative and Presidential elections. The circumstances of the shooting are currently being investigated and verified. The XVII/Cenderawasih military command spokesperson, Colonel Candra Kurniawan, denied the allegations, saying there was no shooting in Sugapa on 28 February 2024.
The case highlights a disturbing pattern of violence perpetrated by the TNI in Intan Jaya, citing many instances of shootings resulting in extrajudicial killings or injuries among civilians, including school children. The armed conflict in West Papua is a driver of internal displacement and prompted not only the indigenous population. but also teachers and health workers to leave the conflict areas. Accordingly, military members have become more involved in providing fundamental government health services, teaching in schools, and engaging in public activities such as burials and joint garden work. This is also part of the new Government strategy to tackle the armed conflict in West Papua with ‘Smart Power,’ a combination of soft approach, hard approach, and military diplomacy.
Many indigenous Papuans are traumatised by the presence of the military in their communities. Many are concerned that this exposes the community to increased potential risk of armed attacks by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) near indigenous settlements and human rights violations. Human rights observers call for immediate action, demanding the withdrawal of all TNI Yonif 330 members operating there.
Mr Mikalon Yoani (left) and Selli Maiseni (right) sustained bullet injuries after military members bullet injuries opened fire in Mamba on 28 February 2024
Detailed Case Data
name of the location: Titigi (-3.5961959462031503, 136.94398954077047)
administrative region: Indonesia, Papua Tengah Province, Intan Jaya Regency, Sugapa District, Mamba Village
total number of victims: two
period of incident: 28.02.2024
perpetrator: other security forces
perpetrator details: TNI command Yonif 330
Issues: indigenous peoples, ill-treatment
Sources:
Further HRM News:
| Number | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1 | Selli Maiseni | male | 17 | indigenous | ill-treatment |
| 1 | Mikalon Yoani | male | 26 | indigenous | ill-treatment |
