NSAC recommends call out of army to support Police resolve University violence

The Chief Secretary to Government, Ambassador Isaac B. Lupari  has announced that the National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) met today and resolved to make a series of recommendations to the National Executive Council (NEC) in relation to recent incidents on national university campuses.

“The NSAC has condemned the killing of an innocent student and the destruction of property as acts of barbarity by mindless individuals,” the Chief Secretary said following the NSAC meeting.

“The perpetrators of this violence have no respect for the lives of others or the rule of law and they will be brought to justice.

“The NSAC has made the following recommendations to the NEC.

“An immediate curfew is recommended to be imposed at the University of Papua New Guinea and Papua New Guinea University of Technology so as to support police to restore law and order on the campuses.

“A call-out of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force is recommended in the event that this is required by police.

“It is recommended that police immediately conduct an investigation into the death of an innocent student and the destruction of property at both universities with the intention of bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“It is recommended that police conduct an investigation into the involvement of any people from outside of the universities who have been inciting and encouraging these criminal actions.”

The Chief Secretary sounded are warning to individuals who are manipulating students from behind the scenes.

“The NSAC further warns members of civil society and political leaders that they have a responsibility to not incite student unrest,” Ambassador Lupari said.

“This conduct of incitement to violence will lead to prosecution by police under existing national laws and, where possible, referral to other relevant leadership bodies.

“The NSCA appeals for calm and commonsense.

“These matters have now become a law and order issues and are no longer a student issues.

“The role that needs to be played by civil society and political leaders should be one of encouraging calm and providing support to students who wish to complete their studies.

“We are restoring normalcy to our campuses and we need commonsense to prevail.”

The National Executive Council will meet tomorrow, 28 June, to consider the recommendations.