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| 1. An Introduction to the Genocide | |
3. MASSACRES |
Aerial bombardments were directed at the most densely populated areas such as
in the Highlands, Baliem Valley, Paniai and Wissel Lake districts, Arfak
mountains [the hinterland of Manokwari], and the Ayamaru Lake district. Aerial
bombardments extract maximum toll from the population, for they kill in three
(3) ways. Firstly the immediate impact of the bombs and shrapnel kills some of
the people instantly (others die later from the sustained wounds). Secondly, the
devastation and destruction of village livestock and gardens leads to deaths
from starvation, malnutrition and infection. And lastly, deaths of parents or
able-bodied men and women, resulting in slower and or perhaps incomplete
re-establishment of the village subsistence, which leads to further
deaths from starvation and infections.
This is the method by which Indonesia settles disputes and complaints from
indigenous Papuan tribesmen against Indonesian soldiers who trampled their
gardens and or abused their elders and women.
2.1: April 1969, Wissel Lake District - Paniai & Enarotali areas
The area was bombarded as a prelude to the Purapura Act (Act of Free Choice
plebiscite - see year 1969 History
section). Indonesia used US-made and supplied planes including B26 [Mitchell]
bombers and the counter insurgency plane UV 10 Bronco. Plane no. 267 was flown
by a Capt. Harsono. An estimated 14,000 Papuans fled into the bush. [In Robin
Osborne's 'Indonesia's Secret War' p32].
2.2: "Paniai Revolt 2"
This resulted from heavy handed manner in which Indonesian officials tried to
coerce the Papuans to select representatives to the Purapura Act (Act of Free
Choice). Apparently the people had selected representatives deemed
"unsuitable"[unsuitable to the Indonesian government's criteria], and
were told to select a new group of deputies. When the Papuans in the Paniai
region objected to this, the Indonesian military retaliated by aerial
bombardment of the villages (the reader should consult Indonesia's
official report to the Secretary General; U.N. Publication A/7723, 6 November,
1969]. The number of people killed or injured was not known.
2.3 Arfak Mountains 1966-1967
2.4 Ayamaru & Teminabuan areas 17th January - 29th March 1967
2.5 Akimuga / Freeport Mine Areas 1977
2.6 Baliem Valley 1977-78
2.7 Village of Nagasawa / Ormo Kecil - July 1984
The village situated at the Northern foot of 5000 ft. [2000m] Cyclop Massif, was
shelled and strafed from the sea and air respectively around the beginning of
July 1984. There was no escape for the villagers, because the sea, their only
escape route, was blocked by the Naval gun boats. Most of the villagers were
dead or dying when the ground troops moved in to complete the massacre. A total
of 200 men, women and children were reported slaughtered like animals. Two women
who were some distant away from the village could only watch horror stricken.
They were the only survivors. They later escaped to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea
to tell the gruesome story. [W.P.O. 8 (1984/1985) 3, 4:4].
2.8 Villages of Taronta, Takar & Masi-Masi
These villagers all in the Pantai Timur district of Sarmi were also shelled from
the sea. The death toll of these bombardments are not known, but the villages of
Taronta and Takar are fairly large for coastal standards. During the Dutch
period in the 1950 each village had 1,500 and 2,000 people. The survivors have
deserted the villages and are known to be living in and around Jayapura. The
reason for the bombing is not known.
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| 1. An Introduction to the Genocide | |
3. MASSACRES |