# Traffic accident sparks unrest and excessive police force in Timika

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-102-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/traffic-accident-sparks-unrest-and-excessive-police-force-in-timika/
**Issues:** indigenous peoples
**Publication Date:** October 1, 2025
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
On 18 September 2025, at approximately 01:30 am, a fatal hit-and-run occurred at the Lokpon–Poumako intersection in Timika, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province.

## Detailed Case Narrative
On 18 September 2025, at approximately 01:30 am, a fatal hit-and-run occurred at the Lokpon–Poumako intersection in Timika, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province. The victim, Mr Santo Serew, 28, of Asmat origin, was struck and killed instantly by a truck transporting timber to the port of Poumako. The driver, reportedly a Timorese migrant, initially fled to the port area but was later detained by the police. The incident immediately sparked outrage among the local community, leading to road blockades, confrontations with police, and ultimately excessive use of force against civilians by the police.

Residents began blocking roads at Lokpon and the Eles complex around 5:00 pm after learning of Mr Santo Serew’s death. The community attempted to track down the perpetrator, who had taken refuge at the [KP3 Laut Police Station in the Poumako port area](https://www.google.de/maps/place/KP3+LAUT+RESOR+MIMIKA/@-4.8037734,136.7629828,1561m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6824633714e4d2a9:0xdde11247b830191b!8m2!3d-4.8037788!4d136.7655577!16s%2Fg%2F11ff3rb27c?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Upon arrival, tensions escalated as residents demanded the release of the driver. The police responded by deploying tear gas and firing warning shots into the air.

According to the information received from local informants, police officers also fired live ammunition directly at the crowd, resulting in serious injuries. All victims are indigenous Papuans belonging to the Asmat Tribe, among them Mr Ucup Opok**,** 18, who sustained a gunshot wound to his hip (see photo below, source: independent HRD), and a 10-year-old child who was exposed to tear gas. At least six civilians suffered injuries due to gunfire and tear gas exposure. Many residents fled in panic as shots were fired towards them.

The situation deteriorated further when dozens of residents attacked and vandalised the Poumako Port Police Station. Windows, doors, and police property were destroyed, while the truck involved in the accident was overturned and severely damaged. The confrontation also led to road blockades on the Timika–Pomako road, halting traffic until police intervened.

Despite the escalation, the Mimika Police Chief, AKBP Billyandha Hildiario Budiman, later claimed that the situation was “under control” and that both parties had eventually reached a mediated settlement. On 24 September 2025, the family of the victim, represented by his widow Kansia Dambos, accepted Rp 25 million (about € 1,280) in compensation from the truck driver’s relatives. The settlement agreement framed the case as an accidental traffic incident without intent and stipulated that the matter would not be pursued further.

### Human rights analysis
From a human rights perspective, several grave concerns emerge. Firstly, while the fatal accident itself may constitute negligence under traffic law, the subsequent use of live ammunition against civilians by the police indicates a violation of the [UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials](https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/basic-principles-use-force-and-firearms-law-enforcement). Law enforcement personnel are required to apply non-violent means before resorting to force, and lethal force may only be used when strictly unavoidable to protect life. In this case, the firing of live rounds at unarmed civilians protesting a traffic incident constitutes disproportionate and excessive use of force. Secondly, the targeting of children with tear gas and the shooting of an 18-year-old further highlight violations of the right to life under Article 6, as enshrined in [the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/iccpr/).

The subsequent out-of-court settlement, while a common practice in Indonesia, risks undermining accountability and contributing to a [pattern of impunity](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/structural-impunity-and-authoritarianism-in-indonesia-cause-shrinking-space-for-accountability/) in cases involving state actors. This incident is emblematic of the wider context of policing in West Papua, where ordinary civilian disputes often escalate into violent confrontations due to [systemic impunity](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/structural-impunity-and-authoritarianism-in-indonesia-cause-shrinking-space-for-accountability/) and [excessive reliance on force](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/ethnic-horizontal-tensions-triggers-civil-unrest-in-elelim-town-four-persons-killed-and-four-injured-by-bullets/).

### Victims of police violence in Timika on 18 September 2025
**Name**
**Age**
**Ethnic Group**
**Additional information**

Ucup Opok
18
Asmat
Gunshot wound to the hip

Child (unnamed)
10
Asmat
Tear gas exposure

### Mr Ucup Opok receiving medical treatment after being shot at Poumako Port on 18 September 2025
![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/victim_KP3-police-shooting_Asmath_Sept25_1.jpeg)

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/victim_KP3-police-shooting_Asmath_Sept25_3-577x1024.jpeg)

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** September 18, 2025
- **End Date:** September 18, 2025
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** September 18, 2025 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** Pomako, Mimika Timur, Mimika Regency, Papua, Indonesia - KP3 Laut Police Station in the Poumako port area
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -4.755778, 136.7671967
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-4.755778,136.7671967
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Central Papua (Province) > Mimika (Regency) > East Mimika (District)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 2

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Ucup Opok | exact | female | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |
| 1 person | [Name unknown] | exact | male | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |

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

- **Perpetrator Description:** Pomako KP3 Laut Police

## Media Documentation
[Image: victim_KP3 police shooting_Asmath_Sept’25_1](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/victim_KP3-police-shooting_Asmath_Sept25_1.jpeg)

[Image: victim_KP3 police shooting_Asmath_Sept’25_3](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/victim_KP3-police-shooting_Asmath_Sept25_3.jpeg)

[Image: victim_KP3 police shooting_Asmath_Sept’25_4](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/victim_KP3-police-shooting_Asmath_Sept25_4.jpeg)

## Related Cases
- [Shooting of civilians by military members triggers civil unrest in Agats, Asmat Regency](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/shooting-of-civilians-by-military-members-triggers-civil-unrest-in-agats-asmat-regency/)
- [Ethnic horizontal tensions triggers civil unrest in Elelim Town – Two persons killed, and four injured by bullets](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/ethnic-horizontal-tensions-triggers-civil-unrest-in-elelim-town-four-persons-killed-and-four-injured-by-bullets/)

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