PNG University Students Reported Dead in LLG Election-Linked Mt Hagen Attack
PNG police have launched a major investigation into a deadly eruption of election-related violence in Western Highlands that claimed the lives of five people, including two young female university students and a Grade 12 boy.
Acting Western Highlands police commander Senior Inspector Steven Philipo confirmed that the three students were trapped inside a house at Keltiga, near Mt Hagen, when it was torched on Friday during clashes linked to the Kiting Ward 24 local level government declaration. Two elderly men also died in separate retaliatory attacks.
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| PNG University Students Reported Dead in LLG Election-Linked Mt Hagen Attack |
One student survived the inferno and is being treated at Mt Hagen General Hospital. Police arrested three suspects on Saturday as detectives opened a full investigation into the arson and killings.
Police say tensions began when the brother of the winning council candidate was confronted by supporters of the runner-up, leading to an altercation in which a man was struck by a vehicle and later died. Relatives of the deceased then allegedly retaliated by killing the father of the newly elected councillor, sparking further destruction across the Jika Mukuka area.
More than 20 homes were destroyed later that evening, including the permanent house where the students were staying. The two University of Technology students—one from Keltiga and the other of Manus–Sepik parentage—had travelled from Lae for a Grade 12 graduation and opted to remain indoors after sensing tensions rise.
The tragedy has drawn strong condemnation from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. Chancellor Sam Koim said the university was shattered by the loss of the two young women.
“It is with profound sorrow that I acknowledge the tragic deaths of two of our young female students, together with another young boy, during the incident at Moikep in the Western Highlands Province,” he said in a statement. “These young women were on holiday—a time when every student should feel safe, protected, and at peace. Instead, their promising lives were cut short in a manner that no family, no community, and no university should ever have to face.”
He said the university community stood firmly with the families as they mourned.
“These were bright, capable, and ambitious daughters of Papua New Guinea. Their potential… has been taken away in an instant.”
Mr Koim condemned the killings and called for swift action.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this barbaric act that has claimed innocent lives… I call upon the relevant authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation… May their souls rest in peace. May justice prevail. And may we all reflect on how to build a safer country for every child and every student.”
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