Twenty people were arrested following a commotion at Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae, Morobe Province, over the weekend.
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr confirmed that the incident happened on Saturday between 9pm and 10pm.
“From police reports, there was a fight which broke out outside Huon Gulf Hotel between security guards and a group of men. The fight spilled out onto the main road where Police were able to disperse the crowd,” Wagambie Jr said.
“People from both sides received injuries. Two of the members of the group that fought against the security sustained serious injuries and were transported to Angau Hospital by a local businessman, as they were seen to be in critical condition.”
A commotion ensued while the men were being rushed in.
“Police were alerted and went to the scene and were able to apprehend more than 20 people, who were detained at Lae Police Station.
“Police are awaiting statements to be brought in from hospital staff, security contracted to Angau Hospital and patients who were there at the time of the incident, so that other appropriate charges can be laid.”
Wagambie Jr added that the local businessman assisted to stop the commotion caused by his people.
Lae businessman Taitus Maima, speaking to NBC Morobe on Monday, said accusations posted by a senior ANGAU doctor of his tribesmen ransacking the hospital’s Accident & Emergency unit was incorrect.
“I was not thrown out of a hotel (as stated). I was with my family and relatives travelling back from a picnic when a commotion started among my boys on the truck in front of Huon Gulf Hotel.
“I was attending to one of my relative who was injured during a confrontation with security guards that night. I didn't mobilise any truckloads to ANGAU,” Maima said.
(File picture)