The University of Papua New Guinea administration on Wednesday succeeded in obtaining a National Court order to restrain the members of the Student Representative Council from boycotting classes.
The order restrains members of the SRC, including president Kenneth Rapa and the student body, from putting up barricades to block classrooms and lecture theatres, threatening and assaulting enrolled students and university staff.
Justice Collin Makail issued the restraining orders sought by the university on Wednesday morning, only hours after the student confrontation with police, which saw 23 students brought to hospital for injuries.
This interim injunction also restrains members of the SRC and students from carrying out activities which are contrary to their enrolment as students.
The matter will return to court on June 22 for the substantive matter, which will see the court hear the judicial review filed by the students.
On June 1, the National Court granted leave for the students’ application for a judicial review to be conducted into the University Council’s decision on May 24, ordering students to vacate the campus within 48 hours.