Police Shot Into A Crowd Of Student Protesters In Papua New Guinea

An global rights group called for an “impartial, thorough and transparent investigation” Wednesday amid reports that four people were killed after police in Papua New Guinea (PNG) fired at protesting students.

Four students have reportedly been shot dead and at least ten have been hospitalised after police in Papua New Guinea opened fire on protesters.

We are still seeking to determine the actual outcome, I know students have been shot, but we are still trying to determine whether there’s been deaths.we call on all sides for calm to deescalate the tensions’.

But Port Moresby Hospital’s chief emergency physician Sam Yockopua denied reports in Australian media that four people had been killed.

The All Whites’ OFC Nations Cup semi-final in Port Moresby is going ahead, despite police shooting student protesters in the city.

EMTV said instances of unrest had been happening around Port Moresby since the failed protest march.

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

However, the PNG Government said claims of fatalities during the protest were false. “The students were running for cover in all directions, but I saw some individuals terribly wounded”, he said.

Papua New Guinea was ranked one of the most corrupt countries in the world in 2012 by Transparency International.

Ahead of the scuffle, the students were gathered to march towards the parliament as the deputies considered a vote of no-confidence against O’Neill.

“In the meantime, I wish to, once again, assure the parents of the safety and welfare of the Vanuatu students in Papua New Guinea”, Minister Nirua said.

Two have since been discharged with a further six in a stable condition, Hospital chief executive officer Grant R Muddle is reported to have said.

“We have been assured that all foreign students including Vanuatu students are to be moved out of the university campuses to a safer place”, Basil said. There are reports dozens of people were wounded.

Waliagai Olewale, a reporter at the local National Broadcasting Corp., said armed police in 20 vehicles clashed with hundreds of students. “Police did not like that concept and began attacking the students, punching them, striking them with the gun butts, prior to firing shots at them”, Anjo stated.

“Prime Minister O’Neill’s reaction has been completely inadequate”.

Mr Thornton said as far as he was aware it was “situation as normal”, and he hadn’t been told of any increased security measures for the team.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby said the “situation is still volatile and could escalate at any time”.

‘There are also reports of unrest related to student protest in other parts of the country, including Lae, ‘ the statement said.

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Images circulating on social media showed apparently injured students being carried away. Hospital officials have said that they heard shooting outside the hospital.