Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. A platoon of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers has been deployed to Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, to support local police following violent clashes between supporters of two candidates in the regional elections. 

The unrest has resulted in 40 homes burned and 94 people injured, with 10 severely wounded victims evacuated to Jayapura.

"The additional Brimob officers will bolster our efforts to maintain security in the region," said Puncak Jaya Sub-regional Police Chief Superintendent Kuswara on Thursday (28/11/2024).

The clashes escalated on the election day of Wednesday, culminating in the destruction of dozens of homes. Mediation efforts led by the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), along with the local General Election Commission (KPU) and Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), were conducted with representatives of the rival candidates.

The two candidates contesting the 2024 Puncak Jaya regency election are Yuni Wonda-Mus Kogoya and Miren Kogoya-Mendi Wonorengga. Puncak Jaya is one of six regencies in Central Papua employing the traditional noken voting system.

Authorities expected that the mediation would prevent further violence, emphasizing the importance of peaceful democratic processes.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)