# President Probowo’s free lunch program triggers protests in West Papua: Elelim, Yalimo Regency

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-021-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/president-probowos-free-lunch-program-triggers-protests-in-west-papua-elelim-yalimo-regency/
**Issues:** security force violence | indigenous peoples
**Publication Date:** February 25, 2025
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
Students began gathering in Elelim around 7.00 am in various locations, from where the protesters began walking towards the Education Office and the Yalimo Regent’s Office. At 8:30 am, a dozen Yalimo Resort Regional Police members and the Yalimo Police Chief arrived in a black Hilux. While the police chief...

## Detailed Case Narrative
Students began gathering in Elelim around 7.00 am in various locations, from where the protesters began walking towards the Education Office and the Yalimo Regent’s Office. At 8:30 am, a dozen Yalimo Resort Regional Police members and the Yalimo Police Chief arrived in a black Hilux. While the police chief initially negotiated for passage through the protest, tensions escalated when police personnel in the vehicle allegedly provoked students, leading to a confrontation between officers and protesters.

During the chaos, police reportedly fired 12 live bullets, smoke grenades, and tear gas. Many demonstrators suffered from tear gas exposure. The protesters responded by throwing stones at the police personnel.  Despite the escalation, the demonstration continued, with government representatives from the Regional People's Representative Council (MRP), the Education Office, and the Health Office arriving to hear the students' demands. By noon, student representatives delivered speeches and formally submitted their rejection of the Free Nutritional Food Program. Three students were reportedly detained and later released. The protest continued peacefully until it concluded around 2:00–3:00 pm.

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** February 17, 2025
- **End Date:** February 17, 2025
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** February 17, 2025 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** - Elelim
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -3.7721565925685, 139.3841207881
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-3.7721565925685,139.3841207881
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Highland Papua (Province) > Yalimo (Regency)

## Victims
| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| dozens | unknow | unknown | unknown | Unknown | freedom of assembly |
| few | unknown | unknown | unknown | Unknown | ill-treatment |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Police

- **Perpetrator Description:** unknown