TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Human Rights will not establish an investigative team to probe the death of a pregnant woman during a shootout between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) in Wandoga Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua.
Deputy Minister of Human Rights Mugiyanto Sipin said while the ministry considered the plan, it was put on hold after an investigation was confirmed by Police Chief Assistant Commissioner General Fadil Imran.
"Pak Fadil explained that there's no need for an investigative team since authorities are handling the case," said Mugiyanto at the Human Rights Ministry office in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Fadil Imran said there's no need for an additional team, as the police-TNI collaboration to identify the perpetrators is running smoothly.
"I don't think it's necessary. The joint team from the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force and the Gakkum (Law Enforcement) Task Force is working; what remains is technical coordination on the ground to find the suspects," said Fadil.
The Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Anis Hidayah, previously brought up the death of a 7-8-month pregnant Melkiana Duwitau. She died along with her baby due after being shot while inside her own house.
According to Anis, the incident occurred amidst a broader escalation of violence in Papua. She emphasized the deaths of a preacher, armed group members, TNI soldiers, and a foreign national pilot of a pioneer aircraft in recent days.
"The TNI stated that the shots that hit the victim came from an armed group, but independent verification of this claim is not yet available to the public," said Anis in a written statement, quoted on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Komnas HAM also urges for a ceasefire amid the worsening situation in Papua that continues to claim civilian casualties.
Amelia Rahima Sari contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Komnas HAM Urges Papua Ceasefire as Civilian Casualties Mount
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