PNG Cabinet to consider university curfew from today

9:08 am on 28 June 2016

The Papua New Guinea cabinet is to meet today to consider the National Security Council's report on university campus violence.

In the most recent incident a first year student was murdered at Unitech in Lae at the weekend.

The chief secretary to government, Isaac Lupari, said the council had condemned the killing and the destruction of property as acts of barbarity by mindless individuals.

He said the council was recommending a curfew be imposed immediately at the University of PNG in Port Moresby and at Unitech to support police efforts to restore law and order.

Unitech said it already has a curfew in place

The council said the police should be able to call on PNG Defence Force assistance if needed.

It wants an immediate police inquiry into the death, and an investigation into the involvement of any people from outside the universities who have been inciting and encouraging criminal actions.

Mr Lupari warned members of civil society and political leaders that they had a responsibility to not incite student unrest.

He said the council was appealing for calm and commonsense.