After news reached the Unitech Campus in Lae about the police shooting of UPNG students, all available police manpower were called in by Metropolitan Superintendent for Lae Anthony Wagambie Jnr.
They were to be on standby in case of repercussions from the incident in Port Moresby.
Specific instructions were given that if any students were to come out of the campus, they were to be talked to and asked to go back in. Police were directed to exercise restraint at all levels.
However, there were reports that some people, either students or outsiders, had tried to gather in the university and move to the gate.
Police responded quickly to the situation but were stoned by this particular group of people. That was when police reacted to defend themselves. They then discharged some shots into the air to fend off the attackers while additional reinforcement was sent.
Wagambie Jnr, who was also at the scene, maintained that there would be no use of force as long as the students are in the campus area.
“Myself and two of my officers walked unarmed into the campus yesterday to meet with student leaders and administration in a forum that was organised by the students, but due to the tension, the forum was cancelled.”
A PNG Water vehicle was burnt at the Unitech campus and the drums that were put in front of the campus gate were removed.