JAYAWIJAYA, thekabarnews.com—The East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration has condemned the fatal shooting of three Jayawijaya Agriculture Office personnel in Muliama district, Highland Papua. In addition, it urged security forces to arrest everyone responsible.

The shooting occurred in Muliama village at approximately 3:53 p.m. local time on Wednesday, September 9. At the time, an Agriculture Office delegation returned to Wamena after conducting official work in the area.

The victims were identified as Willi Mbuik, a probationary civil servant from East Nusa Tenggara. Others included veterinarian Alfonsius Albinus Mehan, 35, from Sikka, and Aprida Rapi, 49, head of the Jayawijaya Agriculture Office’s Livestock and Animal Health Division, from Toraja in South Sulawesi.

“On behalf of the East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration and all the people of NTT, we express our deepest condolences over the deaths of three fellow Indonesians in the shooting,” the provincial administration said.

“We strongly condemn the shooting. Whatever the reason, we can never justify violence and the killing of human beings.

Police said the victims belonged to a larger government delegation intercepted by an armed group. Eight surviving members of the party underwent questioning while security personnel examined the area and collected evidence.

Early police statements gave different descriptions of the delegation’s assignment. An initial account said the officials had inspected a paddy-field development project.

A later Papua Police statement said they were returning after delivering pig livestock assistance in Kimbim village, Asologaima district. Both accounts confirmed that the victims were returning to Wamena from official agricultural work.

Investigators found spent cartridges of 5.56-millimeter and 9-millimeter ammunition at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing assailants carrying two long-barreled firearms, according to police information reported by ANTARA.

The Damai Cartenz task force said its preliminary investigation pointed to possible involvement by an armed group operating from the Nduga region.

However, police had not publicly identified the individual attackers or completed their attribution of responsibility when this article was prepared.

“We are still investigating to determine who carried out the shooting of the three Jayawijaya Agriculture Office personnel in Muliama,” Damai Cartenz spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusuf Sutejo said.

The East Nusa Tenggara administration called on the authorities to conduct a full legal investigation. Moreover, it urged them to provide stronger protection for public servants assigned to remote areas.

The statement stated that the state must be present. It must also ensure that every citizen serving anywhere in Indonesia receives security and protection.

Authorities evacuated Willi’s body from Wamena on Thursday and flew it through Jayapura for repatriation to East Nusa Tenggara.

Alfonsius’ body was also expected to be returned to his family. At the same time, Aprida’s family prepared for her burial in South Sulawesi.

“Farewell, Willi Mbuik and Alfonsius Albinus Mehan. May God accept your service and grant these two devoted people from NTT a place by His side,” the provincial administration remarked.