Violence Erupts in Papua as TNI Law Revision Sparks Controversy

Jakarta – A deadly wave of violence has swept through Anggruk district in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, as the Free Papua Movement (OPM), a separatist rebel group, claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on civilians over the weekend of March 21-22, 2025. The assaults, which targeted teachers and health workers, left one woman dead and several others injured, while also destroying homes and a local school. The timing of the violence, coming on the heels of a contentious revision to the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law, has reignited debates over the military’s expanding role in civilian affairs and the government’s hardline security approach in the resource-rich region.

Weekend of Brutality in Anggruk

The attacks began on Friday, March 21, when a group of at least 15 armed OPM rebels stormed a residential compound for teachers in Anggruk district, according to a statement from the National Police’s Operation Cartenz Peace task force. The assailants stabbed several occupants and set two houses ablaze. The following day, the rebels returned, fatally attacking a 30-year-old female teacher who was tending to the injured. Six other teachers and a health worker were evacuated to Marthen Indey Army Hospital in Jayapura for treatment.

Most of the victims hailed from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), with one individual from Sorong in Southwest Papua. A subsequent police investigation revealed that the attackers also burned seven classrooms at the district’s Advent elementary school, further disrupting an already fragile community. “We are currently still conducting intensive security in Anggruk district with the local police to anticipate further trouble” said Sr. Comr. Yusuf Sutejo, spokesperson for Operation Cartenz Peace, in a release on March 24.

Maj. Gen. Rudi Puruwito, head of the Cenderawasih Military Command in Papua, confirmed that military personnel remain deployed in the area to stabilize the situation. He noted that many residents who initially fled during the attacks have begun returning to their homes, though the motive behind the OPM’s actions remains unclear. “We are still figuring out the motive behind the OPM’s brutal assault” he stated.

OPM Claims Responsibility, Cites TNI Law

Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the OPM’s armed wing, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), issued a statement on March 22 claiming responsibility for the attacks. He alleged that the victims were “intelligence agents” disguised as teachers and medical workers, sent to Papua under the guise of civilian roles. “We are ready to take responsibility for the killing of the Indonesian intelligence agent who worked as a teacher […] The killing was carried out based on the TNI commander’s statement, saying teachers and medical workers sent to Papua were military personnel” Sambom declared.

Sambom’s remarks referenced a statement by TNI commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto from the previous year, which emphasized the military’s “multifunctional role” in civilian affairs in Papua. The OPM spokesperson further argued that the recent revision to the TNI Law, passed by the House of Representatives amid widespread protests, legitimized their targeting of newcomers in what he called a “war zone.” “The law revision has proven that the TNI occupies civil positions in Indonesia” he added.

However, military officials have categorically rejected these claims. Maj. Gen. Rudi stressed that none of the victims were military personnel, a fact he said was well-known to local residents. “It’s just their excuse. It’s not logical to fight for [their cause] but also to kill a fellow Papuan” he said. Similarly, Cenderawasih Military Command spokesperson Candra Kurniawan dismissed the notion that the TNI Law revision inspired the attacks, calling it “an excuse for the armed group to justify their actions.”

TNI Law Revision Fuels National Debate

The revision to the TNI Law, passed in early March 2025, has sparked significant controversy across Indonesia. The amendments expand the military’s authority to engage in civilian affairs and non-conflict operations, raising fears of a return to the “dwifungsi” (dual function) policy of the authoritarian New Order era under former president Soeharto. During that period, the military wielded substantial influence over both security and civilian governance, often at the expense of civil liberties.

Over the weekend of the attacks, protests erupted nationwide against the House of Representatives’ decision to rush the bill through without adequate public consultation. Critics argue that the expanded role for the TNI risks further militarization of Papua, a region already grappling with decades of conflict over independence, resource exploitation, and human rights abuses. The government’s response has been to bolster military presence, including the establishment of new infantry battalions across several provinces in 2024, a move that human rights groups say has led to increased violence and unlawful killings.

Amnesty International Indonesia has documented numerous instances of excessive force by security forces in areas like Intan Jaya Regency, underscoring the escalating tensions. The latest violence in Anggruk district has only intensified calls for a reevaluation of the government’s security-centric strategy in Papua.

Calls for Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions

Experts and officials have urged a shift away from militarized responses toward dialogue and community engagement. Adriana Elisabeth, a senior political researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), advocated for better communication between local and central governments to de-escalate tensions. “Authorities can implement a humanitarian pause, and during this the military presence should not be amped up” she said on March 25. She also emphasized that armed groups must refrain from further attacks during any such pause.

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai confirmed that he has coordinated with the governor of NTT and authorities in Papua Highlands to ensure the victims receive adequate care. His efforts reflect a broader push to address the humanitarian fallout of the conflict, though systemic challenges remain. For many observers, the attacks in Anggruk are a stark reminder of the deep-seated grievances in Papua, where economic disparities, cultural marginalization, and political exclusion continue to fuel unrest.

A Complex Conflict with Global Implications

The Papua conflict, one of Indonesia’s longest-running internal struggles, is rooted in the region’s incorporation into the republic following a controversial 1969 referendum, widely criticized as lacking legitimacy. The OPM and other separatist groups have since waged a low-intensity insurgency, demanding independence or greater autonomy. Papua’s vast natural resources, including gold, copper, and timber, have further complicated the situation, as economic interests often clash with local aspirations for self-determination.

The Indonesian government’s approach has historically prioritized security over dialogue, a stance that has drawn international scrutiny. Reports of human rights violations by security forces, coupled with the displacement of indigenous Papuans due to military operations and resource extraction projects, have amplified calls for accountability. The recent TNI Law revision risks exacerbating these issues, as it may embolden military overreach in civilian spheres, not just in Papua but across the archipelago.

For the international community, the violence in Papua raises questions about Indonesia’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights. While the government maintains that its actions are necessary to preserve national unity, critics argue that sustainable peace can only be achieved through addressing the root causes of the conflict—poverty, discrimination, and political exclusion—rather than through force alone.

Looking Ahead: A Fragile Path to Peace

As Anggruk district slowly recovers from the weekend’s violence, the broader implications of the TNI Law revision loom large. The attacks by the OPM, while condemned for their brutality, highlight the urgent need for a reevaluation of Indonesia’s approach to Papua. With military presence unlikely to diminish in the near term, the risk of further violence remains high, particularly if grievances over the law’s implications continue to fester.

For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and restoring stability in Yahukimo Regency. Yet, as protests against the TNI Law revision persist and calls for dialogue grow louder, the government faces a critical juncture. Will it double down on security measures, or seize the opportunity to engage with Papuan communities and address decades of mistrust? The answer may well determine the future of one of Indonesia’s most volatile regions.