Dekai, a small town in the highlands of Yahukimo Regency in Papua Pegunungan (Papua Highlands) Province, was always known for its calm mornings and lively local markets. On weekdays, traders would come together to sell fruits, vegetables, spices, betel nuts, and fresh produce. Customers slowly moved from stall to stall, saying hello to the sellers by name and telling stories about their families and crops. In this close-knit community, the market was more than just a place to buy and sell things. It stood for everyday life and being together.
But on what seemed like a normal morning on February 18, 2026, everything changed.
EK (33 years old), a woman seller of pinang, also known as betel nut, a traditional and popular chewing seed in Papua and eastern Indonesia, was stabbed in a busy market in Dekai. She was badly hurt in the attack. The attack shocked the community and once again raised concerns about how dangerous it is for civilians to be in the area while armed conflicts are still going on.
Local and national news reports confirmed that the victim was attacked by unknown assailants, who are widely thought to be connected to armed separatist groups linked to TPNPB OPM (West Papua National Liberation Army/Organisasi Papua Merdeka). The event involved more than just a physical attack on one person. It was a clear reminder of how deeply insecurity can affect everyday people who live far from strategic posts and cities.
A Morning That Went Wrong
The event happened on a normal day at the market. The sun had just begun to rise over the hills, and traders were getting their goods ready for the day. Customers moved slowly through the stalls, picking out fruits and vegetables, chatting with each other, and making plans for their purchases.
Authorities and local media later identified the betel nut seller as an immigrant from Alor, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). She was well-known in the community for her warm smile and hard work. Years before, she had moved to Dekai to make a living for her family. Betel nuts were a common food in Papua, and her stall made money and gave her a way to connect with the daily life of the town.
People who saw it happen said that the calm was suddenly broken by an attack. Two men came up to the stall and, without warning, stabbed the woman with a sharp object. Nearby traders screamed and ran to her side, causing chaos. Some customers ran for help, while others were shocked and ran away.
The attackers fled right away, hiding in the alleys and foothills around the town. Within minutes, neighbors had asked for help.
People who were nearby helped the hurt woman by putting pressure on her injury and comforting her until assistance arrived. People who heard her screams of pain and fear in the narrow walkways between stalls will never forget them.
Right After
The ambulance and security staff got there quickly. They quickly took the woman to the closest clinic for care. Doctors said she was stable and getting care, even though her condition was serious.
Local police started looking into it right away. Witnesses were interviewed, and videos from cell phones were gathered. People who first described the suspects said they wore hooded jackets and moved in a way that made them hard to see. Within hours, officials had labeled the event as a violent attack involving unknown armed people, and early investigations suggested that TPNPB OPM affiliates may have been involved.
Later, news outlets said that police were looking for two people who might have been involved in the stabbing. To keep people safe and find those responsible, security forces said they would step up patrols in and around Dekai and nearby villages.
The Story of the Victim
The woman who was the victim of this violent crime was more than just a name in a police report. She was a mother and a trader who worked to support her family. People who knew her said she was a hard worker who got up before dawn to get her things ready, set up her stall, and greet customers with a kind word.
Neighbors who were interviewed said that she made the market a calmer and friendlier place. For a lot of people, she wasn’t just a vendor; she was a part of their daily lives.
When friends and other traders heard about her injury, they were both shocked and angry. In a place where people used to smile and say hello, no one expected this kind of violence.
One vendor who had been with the company for a long time said she couldn’t sleep after hearing the news. The woman said, “She always made us smile.” “It’s so sad to see this happen to her.”
Another person at the market said that people feel less safe now. “We used to come here without worrying,” he said. “Now we look back and think about what might happen next.”
A Wider Pattern of Threats to Civilians
The attack in Dekai wasn’t a one-time thing. There have been reports of armed groups causing trouble in Papua’s highlands and remote districts in the past few months. A lot of the talk about these conflicts is about fights between armed separatists and security forces, but the violence is hurting more and more civilians who are not near strategic targets.
In many cases, small groups of armed people work in places where the government isn’t very present. The rough terrain lets them move quickly, avoid patrols, and attack when you least expect it. People who live in villages and come across these kinds of groups, even by accident, may be in danger.
Human rights observers and local leaders have said that when violence against civilians becomes normal, it starts to tear apart the social fabric of communities. People change their schedules, stay away from public places, and limit their travel because they are afraid of surprise attacks.
That change happened quickly in Dekai. There was a temporary drop in foot traffic in markets that used to be busy with trade. Some traders closed their stalls early. Kids who used to play in the streets in the early evening stayed inside, with older siblings taking them home.
It’s hard to measure the psychological effects of violence on civilians with just numbers. It means changing how you act, making your routines more strict, and being unsure at dawn.
Security Forces Take Action
Security forces have promised to hunt down the people who did the attack. The police department in Yahukimo said in statements that the investigation was going on and that officers were working to find, identify, and arrest the people who were involved in the stabbing.
Police made it clear in press briefings that they would not put up with attacks on civilians and that they would work harder to keep the public safe.
Security units said that more patrols were happening in Dekai and nearby districts. There were checkpoints at important intersections, and mobile units were sent out to keep an eye on footpaths and roads that lead out of town.
Local leaders also asked people to stay calm and not give in to fear or revenge. They stressed that the only way to get justice is through the law, and that punishing innocent people would only make things worse.
The local government promised to help pay for the victim’s medical care, making sure that she got all the care and rehabilitation she needed. Officials also said that people who were hurt by the event could get counseling.
What the Community Said
The market got back to business in the days after the attack, but the mood was low. Friends said hello to each other with care in their voices. People were more careful when they made eye contact. People in groups talked quietly about what happened and what it meant.
Leaders of local churches and congregations asked for prayer and peace. They stressed the importance of coming together and not using violence. People held prayer services at community centers and homes, where neighbors came together to help each other.
Parents talked to their kids about being safe and aware. Teachers brought up empathy and how to solve problems in class discussions. At family dinners, people talked about security more often.
Even though they were scared, they were also strong. People kept going to the market. They kept saying hello to each other. They kept on living.
More General Worries
The stabbing of the betel nut seller has made people in Papua more worried about the safety of civilians in general. Analysts have said that when armed groups can do whatever they want, the risk to people who aren’t fighting goes up a lot.
People in places where the government isn’t very present often use community networks and traditional leaders to settle disagreements and keep the peace. But when violence happens out of the blue, those social structures may not be able to keep fear in check.
Local leaders have called for more work to be done to improve security in the village and district levels. This includes better communication between residents and the police, community watch programs, and training in how to resolve conflicts.
They have also asked the central government to speed up development programs that can help reduce the economic and social inequality that can sometimes lead to unrest.
The Meaning of Violence Against Civilians
There are many ways in which the attack on the woman selling betel nuts is symbolic. It shows that violence doesn’t always happen between soldiers on the battlefield. It can happen in markets, homes, and quiet streets where people are going about their daily lives.
It also shows that women, who are often thought of as the ones who take care of families and communities, are not safe in war zones.
The world is starting to understand that protecting civilians should be the main goal of security plans. When violence happens in markets and marketplaces, the effects go far beyond that one event. They have an impact on trust, the economy, and social ties.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation goes on and security forces follow up on leads, the people of Dekai are scared but determined. They want the woman who was hurt to get justice. They want to be held responsible. They also want to know that their daily lives will be safe.
Officials have said that they will seek justice. If the suspects are found and caught, they will be charged with a crime under Indonesian law. At the same time, local governments are trying to improve community outreach and make the relationships between residents and security forces stronger.
The market in Dekai is now fully open again. Stall owners set up their tents, clean their stalls, and put out their produce. The sound of business is back. But even though life goes on, the memory of that violent morning stays with me.
Many people hope that the event will inspire people to work harder to protect civilians, make communities stronger, and make sure that markets stay places where people can make a living instead of being scared.
Conclusion
The stabbing of the betel nut seller in Dekai is a sad event that goes beyond just one attack. It shows how easy it is for civilians to get hurt in war zones and how hard it is to keep people safe in faraway places. The event has made it clear that noncombatants need stronger protection, security forces need to work better with the community, and violence prevention strategies need to be more effective.
The bigger lesson is clear as Dekai and its people heal and go on with their lives. We need to work for peace and safety not just with force, but also with empathy, understanding, and community strength.
This market, which was once clouded by fear, is now a testament to the strength of everyday people who won’t let violence shape their future.