Police to watch University campus when UPNG resumes classes on Tuesday

The classes at University of Papua New Guinea will resume on Tuesday after the University Council got a restraining order from the courts to stop students from protesting. The order restrains members of the UNPG Student Representative Council from preventing students from attending classes.

It also prevents Kenneth Rapa and SRC members from barricading or locking classrooms and lecture theatres or threatening and assaulting legally enrolled students and university staff.

Police will still monitor the campus as a safety measure. However, one of the student leader Mr Hercules Palme Jim says the students who were chased and shot by police or injured last Wednesday are too traumatized to return to school and the presence of police on campus will only be intimidating. He says it is up to students to resume classes but they must not be intimidation by anyone.

According to the UPNG Public Relations Director Mr Jim Robins police presence will still be on campus as classes at the University of Papua New Guinea resumes on the 14th of June. Mr Robins says this is to ensure the safety of staff, students and the university property. Mr Robins says the students can come back to classes after signing a reaffirmation form to declare that they want to continue their education. 

Meanwhil, the University  staff  resumed normal duties last Friday following weeks of boycotting by students.

Acting Chancellor Dr. Nicholas Mann told the staff in a meeting  to resume duties in preparation for the resumption of the academic year next Tuesday.

Dr. Mann noted that a lot has happened in the school over the last weeks and he is expecting a slow start but regardless, the university remains focused on completing the academic year on a good note.

"Classes will resume on the 14th June as planned and I call on the student body to corporate with the school to restore normalcy to the academic year." said Dr. Nicholas Mann.

He has also called on parents to support their kids and encourage them to return to class.