UPNG Boycott

Set to start at 9am, the protest is in support of the country’s universities calling on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to step down and face serious corruption allegations charges.

Chairman of the PNG Anti-Corruption Movement for Change Lucas Kiap said they have notified the NCD metropolitan police Commander Ben Turi in a formal notice on Thursday, requesting him to provide escort and security to ensure that they stage a successful yet peaceful protest.

UPNG students burn newspapers

Stacks of newspapers were burnt this morning by the University of Papua New Guinea students outside the main Waigani campus bus stop.

http://www.looppng.com/content/upng-students-burn-newspapers

Academic staff declare support for students

University students are not alone; the National Academic Staff Association of UPNG yesterday officially declared its support for the student body.

Some UPNG staff members told Loop PNG this morning (Wednesday) that “something happened last night”.

A student leader confirmed the statement, saying the road leading to the campus was blocked off by drums and fires were lit during the night.

“This measure was taken to protect the students.”

Vice-chancellor Professor Albert Mellam met with the staff members this morning outside the Uniforce security base.

A UPNG personnel told Loop PNG that they were told to just wait for the outcome of the students’ activities.

The school’s SRC secretary contacted UPNG’s leaders yesterday (Monday) saying: “We will continue our sitting boycott and start making awareness by Wednesday.

” We are in support of your petition, said UNRE.

UPNG is calling for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to step aside and be investigated, and Police Commissioner Gari Baki to comply with the court ruling and let fraud director Matthew Damaru carry on his work.

UPNG started their one-week boycott yesterday.

The PNG University of Technology is also supporting UPNG’s petition.

“Since the students are willing to bet their education on this issue, we call for the civil society and general public to support us,” SRC member Emelda Arabagali told Loop PNG this evening.

 “Our stance is not to change the Government or tell the Prime Minister to resign. We’re simply asking him to respect the integrity of the office and step aside to allow for questioning.

“As a citizen of this country, he is bound by the laws of this land. No one is above the law,” said the SRC representative.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi  late this afternoon said police will not allow for the march to take place.

Turi said no clearance had been given by the Peace and Good Order Committee, adding that he will not change his stance on this issue.

The NCD police boss said he was wary of opportunists who may take advantage of the situation.

As of this afternoon Turi said the Peace and Good Order Committee had not received any request from the students with regards to police allowing them to carry out their planned protest.

“The university senate standing committee is concerned about the disruption of classes this morning,” UPNG vice-chancellor Professor Albert Mellam stated in a circular issued yesterday (Monday) evening.

The senate said the rally held yesterday (Monday) was “unsanctioned”.

The senate is concerned because it “has a responsibility to ensure that the integrity of our academic programs are not compromised”.

Mellam said: “The university senate cannot authorise strikes or indefinite suspension of academic activities; but encourages academic debates at forums.

Baki told Loop PNG that he has members on ground to work with the students to create dialogue with student leaders.

He adds despite general perception, the police are on hand to ensure public order is maintained at all times.

Meanwhile, NCD metropolitan police Commander Ben Turi says no official word has been given to his office about requests to hold protests at the University of PNG.

Students from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Medical Faculty) campus at Taurama were also in attendance.

For the first-time, they joined students from the main Waigani campus, entering the premises around 10.30am in ten 25-seater buses and two vehicles.

“More than 400 Medfac students are on main campus right now,” a third year medical student told Loop PNG.

This is the University of Papua New Guinea’s second term of reference, said the president of UPNG’s Law Society, Livai Kuaken.

“The first term of reference is for the PM to step aside and go for questioning,” the final year law student told Loop PNG today.

Their second stance is for fraud director Matthew Damaru to be allowed to take office, as ordered by the Waigani National Court last month.

“We want the police force to maintain its integrity as the police force and serve the people of Papua New Guinea and not the minority.”