Jakarta, IO – Michelle Kurisi Ndoga, a Papuan women activist was shot dead by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) after being mistaken for an intelligence agent.
Michelle’s body was found in Kolawa district, Lanny Jaya regency, Papua Mountains province. The joint TNI-Polri personnel and Cartenz 2023 Task Force evacuated her body on Thursday (31/8), per BBC Indonesia, Friday (1/9).
Papua Police spokesperson Chief Commissioner Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo explained that the murder occurred after Michelle was questioned about the purpose of her trip to Kwijawagi.
“She intended to collect data about conflict refugees from the Nduga community,” said Benny.
Benny said investigation is ongoing. On the other hand, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom emphasized that they have strong evidence that Michelle was an intelligence officer who sent data and information regarding the group’s whereabouts to the police.
“You can see the linked photo and others, she is part of BIN (State Intelligence Agency). “We have identified her, it’s not new,” said Sebby.
Theo Hasegem, a human rights activist based in Papua, said Michelle’s murder epitomized the intensity of civilian killings that are increasingly occurring in conflict-prone areas of Papua. People who are close to government officials or national figures have been suspected to be “intel” (intelligence agent).
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“It’s quite serious and it’s inhumane,” said Theo. “If they (TPNPB-OPM) suspect that she is an intel, they can tell her to leave. They don’t need to kill her,” he said.
From 2018 to 2022, Amnesty International recorded at least 94 cases of extrajudicial killings involving TNI, Polri, prison wardens and Papuan pro-independence groups which killed at least 179 civilians. (un)