Madang unrest

The administration, however, is taking bold measures to ensure that next academic year and onwards, students should not befall such atrocities.

Principal Marcus Weimeia is being proactive by coordinating for a protest march from the school to the Madang Provincial Government House, to present a petition, which they want immediate action on.

Relatives and disgruntled citizens gathered to march up to N7 which resulted in numerous riots and clashes in town. This resulted in properties being damaged, stores looted, residential areas broken into and vehicles stoned.

Police investigations have commenced and suspects are voluntarily giving themselves up according to Provincial Police Commander Superintendent David Seine Jnr. As yet police are unable to release any information regarding the brutal killing of the CID officer.

Director for provincial education, John Ura said the unrest has disrupted grade 8s sitting for their final paper today. However, he is advising students to stay indoors and hopefully, if things die down by this evening, they may be able to complete their paper tomorrow.

Mr Ura had a morning brief with senior school inspectors and the provincial Grade 8 exam coordinators to advise them of his decision. Asked if the students will be able to complete their paper if the situation prolongs.

Mr Ura states he may need to seek advice from Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra.

According to the Madang Open Member Bryan Kramer, the body of the teacher has been repatriated back to Ialibu courtesy of the Madang authority and the Madang provincial government.

For now the focus will be on the burial of the four Madang youth that were killed.

The member says that the bodies of the youth are currently at the morgue undergoing autopsies following directions from the coroner’s office.

The bodies will be released back to the families and after a month, following removal of the Hauskrai’s, a memorial will be arranged to acknowledge their deaths.

Three youth were shot at Gum Bridge, outside of Madang town, while another was killed at Four-Mile during the recent unrest.

PPC Neneo said his officers were retaliating to save one of their colleagues, who was attacked by the locals.

He clarified that the police officer, who was from that area, was driving to Madang town from his village when that incident happened.

This was a spill over from the protest by locals over being bullied in their own land.

The deceased, who was quite sick at that time, tried to escape when he heard police gunshots, but fell down a steep slope and died instantly.

They said on April 9 police came into the settlement, ordering everyone to pack up and get ready to board PMVs that would take them to their province of origin, mostly in the highlands region.

This was confirmed by Police Minister Jelta Wong today.

This will boost manpower on ground to deal with the current tense situtaion that followed a standoff between youth and police on Saturday. 

The personnel are expected to depart at 10pm tonight and reach Madang by first light.

They have briefed them on tactics to use at tree felling locations and rules of engagement.

Wong said from their assessment tomorrow morning, they will decide whether or not to request air support for surveillance and insertion to certain locations in the province.