Anxious about KKSB, 258 Banti-Opitawak Residents Request Evacuation to Timika

Anxious about KKSB, 258 Banti-Opitawak Residents Request Evacuation to Timika

Timika - As many as 258 residents of Kampung Banti and Kampung Opitawak asked the TNI-Polri apparatus to evacuate them to Timika. Residents were worried after the KKSB attacked a Tembagapura police patrol car a few days ago.

After the attack, the KKSB continued to carry out attacks on the authorities. The residents asked to be evacuated for fear of becoming victims of KKSB violence or becoming victims of crossfire between KKSB and officials in Tembagapura area.

Dandim 1710 Mimika Lt. Col. Inf Pio L Nainggolan said 258 residents were afraid to return to being victims of the KKSB atrocities that had occurred in 2017. They were traumatized so they had to leave the village to secure themselves.

They walk through the Utikini area which is currently controlled by the KKSB. Evacuation was carried out today, Friday (03/06/2020).

They have gathered together with relatives in Timika, such as the Kwamki Narama area, Sp 12, and several areas in Timika.

"Yes, there are 258 residents asking to be evacuated to Timika, for fear of the KKSB. They have returned to the homes of relatives in Timika," Lieutenant Colonel Pio said via text message.

He added, residents were transported using 3 buses owned by Freeport.

Recently, KKSB has acted in a number of areas in Mimika. They took hostage three elementary school teachers, attacked the National Police resulting in the death of a Brimob member, attacked a patrol car and Tembagapura Police headquarters.