Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura.  Violence has flared again between two community groups in Mulia, the capital of Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua, following a disputed regional election.

Puncak Jaya Sub-regional Police Chief Superintendent Ahmad Fauzan confirmed that the clashes reignited on Thursday (5/6/2025) after a series of confrontations that began earlier in the week. 

The conflict escalated to include house burnings, although the number of casualties and homes destroyed is still unknown due to ongoing efforts to control the violence, according to antaranews.com.

The groups involved are reportedly supporters of two rival candidate pairs from the 2024 Puncak Jaya local election. The trigger was a confrontation when supporters of candidate pair No. 2, near Mulia Airport, crossed into an area controlled by supporters of candidate pair No. 1 in Karubate village.

The Indonesian Military and the Indonesian National Police (INP) forces attempted to disperse the violence, but were initially unsuccessful as tensions spread across multiple areas in Mulia District.

A prior clash on Tuesday resulted in the death of Gum Enumbi and injuries to a 17-year-old student, Piki Murib.

The conflict follows a legal ruling by the Constitutional Court, which upheld the election victory of candidate pair Yuni Wonda–Mus Kogoya, rejecting the dispute filed by the losing pair, Miren Kogoya–Mendi Wonerengga.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely in an effort to prevent further escalation.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)