KENYAM - The non-organic Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) are reported to be expanding security posts in residential areas and civilian access roads in Kenyam, the capital of Nduga Regency, Highland Papua.
A report by the Human Rights Defender (HRD) on Tuesday (9/6/2026) stated that the occupation of territory by the joint security forces has occurred since early 2026 and triggered mass fear among civilians.
The joint forces currently occupy a number of strategic points in residential areas, covering the regions of Yosoma, Kondibam, Embetpem, along the Kenyam–Batas Batu road, to Lapangan Baru. As a result, the mobility of residents inside the city has become very limited. The most significant impact is seen in the local economic sector, where people face difficulties going to gardens to make a living because the main access road has been occupied by the Indonesian military.
The situation inside Kenyam city is reported to be tense as residents are enveloped in trauma and panic. The strict surveillance implemented makes the public vulnerable to repressive actions. Civilians regardless of gender and age—whether men, women, youth, to children—who are deemed suspicious can be unilaterally arrested and interrogated by security forces.
This condition is worsened by the placement of new non-organic TNI posts located right in the middle of densely populated civilian residential areas, including in areas currently occupied by displaced residents. The existence of military installations in this domestic zone is assessed to narrow the safe space for residents who have already lost their homes due to the prolonged internal conflict in the region.
"The access road to the residents' gardens has been occupied by non-organic TNI members," said a representative of HRD, Tuesday (9/6/2026).
This restriction of movement is said to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Nduga, where indigenous people lose access to food sources and a safe living space without armed intimidation.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Papua mountainous region continue to be triggered by a chronic conflict between the Indonesian military and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The mobilization of non-organic forces in large numbers to residential centers is called a security anticipation step, but implementation on the ground precisely often places civilians as the most vulnerable group sacrificed.
The TPNPB also stated that they continue to monitor the expansion of security posts which is assessed to sacrifice the basic rights of the civilian population. Through the central command, the TPNPB emphasized that the occupation of residents' logistics routes is a form of psychological pressure against indigenous Papuans. The TPNPB even stated they will not retreat from the conflict area and continue to consolidate forces to face the movements of the Indonesian military in Kenyam. (One Papua)