PNG university students call for PM's resignation

11:08 am on 28 April 2016

Students at the University of Papua New Guinea have decided to boycott classes in protest against the prime minister Peter O'Neill.

The Student Representative Council organised a Forum yesterday at their Port Moresby campus for students to discuss a growing list of governance issues around the prime minister.

Mr O'Neill has refused to be questioned by fraud squad police probing a major fraud case from which a series of recent high profile arrests has stemmed.

Hundreds of students gathering at the UPNG campus yesterday have called on Mr O'Neill to step aside to face corruption allegations.

They are also calling for change in leadership over the government's handling of various issues such as draconian cyber laws currently being considered.

The campus gathering was marked by the arrival of a convoy of police vehicles and armed police officers who students claim were there to intimidate them.

The students have decided not to stage a street protest in the capital but will boycott classes and petition Mr O'Neill to stand down.

Meanwhile, the head of the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights, Peter Bosip, has called for a nationwide strike to enforce the prime minster to face the law over the fraud case.