Inp.polri.go.id - Manokwari. Police managed to arrest 19 members of the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) in Tambrauw District, Southwest Papua. They were arrested when announcing or declaring independence.

"That's right, we secured 19 activists," explained the Chief of the West Papua Regional Police, Police Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga, Saturday (10/6/23).

They were arrested in Sarwom Village, Bamusbama District, Tambrauw Regency, on Friday (9/6/23) afternoon. At first, the KNPB members were announcing the establishment of the KNPB, then proclaiming independence.

"The arrests were made when they proclaimed the establishment of the KNPB and proclaimed independence. They had put up a fight, but we outnumbered them because they were backed up by the TNI," explained Police Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga.

The police also secured the KNPB flag, KNPB military patterned clothes, arrows, and machetes, as well as the organizational structure. Currently, the Police are still conducting further investigations.

(my/pr/um)