WARNING: This post contains graphic images.
Four people are confirmed dead after police in Papua New Guinea opened fire on student protesters at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.
The students had been protesting Prime Minister Peter O’Neill‘s handling of corruption allegations and his often criticised management of the country’s economy when police attempted to prevent them from marching from the university to Parliament.
Apparently, around 1,000 students spread into the university grounds after the shooting. A spokesperson for Papua New Guinea Police told The Guardian that they were unable to confirm or deny reports of the shootings or the surrounding events at this time.
Student Gerald Peni told ABC News that the police had fired directly into the crowd.
“They fired shots, they fired shots directly at the crowd,” he said.
“They fired tear gases, I was right in front. And many of the students they fell, they got injured, we don’t know how many casualties we may have at the moment.
“Right now all the students are dispersed all around the university grounds.”
It is alleged that the police opened fire when students refused to allow them to arrest the president of the student council. Port Moresby General Hospital said 10 students had been admitted after the event.
Reports that police open fire against University of #PNG students protest against O’Neill govt #breakingnews #news pic.twitter.com/PNcVKprmCp
— MARTYN (@Mangiwantok) June 8, 2016
Students have been boycotting classes at the university and demanding O’Neill resign, which culminated in classes being suspended last month. O’Neill has refused to step down.
Mothers in Pom crying and walking in @ UPNG???? pic.twitter.com/oulAb4DLj3
— Hayley (@buai_ninja) June 8, 2016
Heavy stuff.
Source: The Guardian / ABC.
Photo: Twitter.
