Soldiers sent to border

ELEVEN PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers have been deployed to the PNG-Indonesian border to assess the spill-over of a clash between Oparassi Papua Merdeka (OPM) rebels and Indonesian soldiers, Chief of PNGDF Major-General Gilbert Toropo says.
“These soldiers were deployed to Tumolbil, in Telefomin, West Sepik, after we received reports that West Papuans crossed over to escape the clash between OPM rebels and Indonesians soldiers,” he said.
“At the moment, they are doing some assessment on the extent of the conflict on the other side.”
Maj-Gen Toropo said while he was yet to receive a detailed report, the soldiers would be finding out how many people had crossed over and whether rebel fighters or Indonesian soldiers were among them.
“We will have to find out more the extent on what other measures we need to take or any other non-government agencies need to take to address the refugees in Tumolbil,” he said.
Maj-Gen Toropo said he was concerned that conflict in Indonesia could affect PNG citizens and wanted the two governments to discuss a way ahead. According to media reports, the clash between OPM rebels and Indonesian soldiers in Kiwirok, Indonesian side, about 40kms from the border, forced West Papuan refuges to cross into Tumolbil in the Yapsie local level government area.
Indonesian soldiers began clashing with OPM rebels since September after suspecting the OPM rebels for recent attacks on health workers in Kiwirok.

West Papuans displaced by armed conflict in the Bintang mountain
regency last month. – Picture supplied