PNG Police Minister warns against damaging property

Papua New Guinea Police Minister Robert Atiyafa, has warned that opportunists who are intent on burning buildings, smashing cars and assaulting students will be arrested and charged.

“We are receiving reports of university buildings and some houses being set on fire,” Minister Atiyafa said.

“A number of police and private vehicles have been damaged.

“There are also a number of students being intimidated for refusing to take part in protest action because all they want to do is return to classes.

“We know that the ringleaders of the violence are not students.

“Police are now investigating the string of offences that have been committed and arrests will be made.

“Any student who has broken the law will feel the full force of the law. Their actions are very foolish and I think there are several students who will have thrown their education down the drain through their actions today.

“I can assure the people of Port Moresby that the situation has calmed from early this morning.

“People are going about their normal business."

The minister also condemned the irresponsible coverage of the ABC from Australia who have been telling the world that students have been killed.

“The ABC prides itself of being the only international news organisation with a permanent presence in Papua New Guinea and today they have disgraced themselves.

“Other international news organisations rely on the ABC for factual information. But we see the headline on the ABC claiming four students have been killed and seven injured is a total nonsense.

“The ABC should get out and report the facts, not just repeat what they read on Facebook.

“This false information was reported on global news organisation.”

“There are even reports that an international airline turned their flight around as a consequence of ABC’s reporting.

“I tell the ABC to get your facts right and stop creating misinformation about our country,” Minister Atiyafa said.