A number of students received injuries from a clash between Bugandi and Lae Secondary School yesterday.
A fight broke out after school at Eriku again, where a couple of Lae Secondary School boys received injuries. Police were at the location and managed to disperse them.
More than 200 male students from Bugandi secondary came out of school and marched towards the Salamanda way around 8am yesterday morning.
A Police Sector Patrol Unit was there and tried to stop them at Bugandi roundabout and get them back to school but they (students) refused to listen and headed straight for Eriku.
According to the Lae metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, the students were blocked off from getting into the shopping centre by a couple of units and told to turn around and return to school.
There was a Commission Officer of Police at the scene and his orders for them to disperse fell on deaf ears.
Lae sec students, when finding out that Bugandi students were at Eriku, also forced their way out of the school and mobilised at Eriku but were stopped by Police.
The Met sup has commended the principal and teachers of Lae Sec as they were there and assisted Police to get all the male students back into the school area.
“If Police and the Lae sec staff were not there, this would have turned nasty,” he said.
It took almost an hour before Police forcefully moved the Bugandi students out of Eriku. Teargas was used to scatter the students, who hurled missiles at Police. Some property have been reportedly damaged.
“I arranged with the principal and senior staff and talked to the male students,” said the police boss.
“They were warned that if they instigate any more fights, Police will do mass arrest on them and deal with it in Court. There has been enough talk regarding school fights.
“I told them this is unnecessary and if they have any grievances with the other school or any particular students, they should bring this up with their student reps and administration.
“There is nothing cool or macho about being involved in school fights.
“I reminded them about the monument they had put up and the pride they should have in their school. They were also reminded of their purpose of being in school.”
Wagambie Jnr said this school fighting has to be addressed.
“I must also make it known that not all students are involved in this. Most are pressured into joining the group; there are ring leaders behind this,” he said.
“It would be a shame if this school is closed. It would only deprive the rights of children who genuinely want to learn.”
(Bugandi Secondary School students)