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PNG: Shootings of students ‘must be promptly investigated’

Opposition MPs had told parliament on Wednesday that four people were killed, but the government and hospitals have denied there were any deaths.

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Papua New Guinea broadcaster EMTV tweeted that several people had been injured, and were being treated at Port Moresby General Hospital.

‘Informed that several were shot, ‘ Juffa said, adding that the incident started with an argument between a metropolitan police superintendent and a student.

Anjo described the scene as police arrived at the campus, set up a roadblock and began to attack students, “I saw at least four injured myself, but there were many, many injured”.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called for calm and for protests to be allowed to continue peacefully.

“There is also shooting going on, open gunfire”.

Australia has offered Papua New Guinea help to prevent further unrest following violent clashes between PNG police and students.

O’Neill has denied the graft allegations, and last month published a lengthy letter responding to the students’ concerns that suggested the accusations were politically motivated.

The injuries stem from a confrontation between Police and students at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Waigani campus earlier today.

Staycey Yalo, a journalism student at the university, said she and the other protesters encountered a line of police officers blocking them when they tried to march to Parliament.

Staycey Yalo, a journalism student at the university, said police did not fire warning shots they fired directly at the students.

However, the PNG Government said claims of fatalities during the protest were false.

In this photo provided by Staycey Yalo, 34-year-old Esther Was bleeds from a head wound suffered during a student protest Wednesday, June 8, 2016, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

“The track record of the country in attracting investment, attracting financing, and delivery in 24 years of history in production of hydrocarbons means our banks and our customers will see past that and look at the broader history”, he said.

Police spokesperson Domonic Kakas said he could not immediately comment and would issue a statement later on Wednesday.

“I don’t know what type of gun they used, but they just shot us”, one unidentified injured student says.

Despite previous calls for his resignation by students and a 2014 warrant for his arrest issued by Transparency International, O’Neill says he won’t step down.

Both Canberra and Washington issued warnings on Wednesday, with the U.S. embassy in Port Moresby saying: “The situation is still volatile and could escalate at any time”.

“We might have to put it off”, Fowler said. Hospital officials have said that they heard shooting outside the hospital.

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This picture provided by the PNGFM News shows a police officer gesturing while talking to students prior to their march from the University of the Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Police kill four students in PNG protest, reports