Forty (40) male students from Iarowari Secondary School in Central Province are in police custody following the death of 17-year-old William Garo, a grade nine student, in an incident allegedly linked to cult practices. According to acting Superintendent Joseph Salle, the Provincial police commander for Central, the students detained include 25 grade nine and 15 grade 11 students, who allegedly believed that ritual chest pounding could transfer power from senior to junior students. "The deceased was allegedly part of a cult group and died because of the heavy blows received on his chest," said PPC Salle, noting that further police investigation is underway. The incident reportedly occurred in the school’s male dormitory on Thursday, 07th November, around 7 p.m., when Garo was pretending to be sick. Fellow students informed the school administration, and Garo was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Mr Salle said the relatives were informed of his death and the relatives notified of his death, brought his body to the school and urged other students to assist the police with the investigation. Salle commended Garo’s family for showing "maturity and leadership" during this tragic incident, adding that those responsible will face "formal arrest and charges." PPC Salle said the police would do mass arrest and appropriate criminal charges would be laid against them accordingly. The student who died was believed to be from the Gabagaba village, Rigo District in the Central province. He assured the relatives of the deceased that those students who were responsible for the death of the student would formally be arrested and charged accordingly.