The National Capital District (NCD) Metropolitan Superintendent, Silva Sika has advised that police are monitoring the main campus of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) to ensure the safety of the students following reports of a planned protest that would take place this week on the recently signed defence agreements between the country and the United States.
He mentioned that although he has not received any request to stage a protest, he is closely monitoring the situation, to make sure that no one gets harmed should anything happen. “I understand that the students are frustrated regarding the recent incidents.
My men are fully aware of the situation and what they must do to protect the people.” Sika mentioned that in light of recent events, the paramount goal is to ensure that the people are safe and that peace is maintained in the city.
From his observation, the Met. Supt. also said that there are a few radicals within the campus that would like to forcefully go ahead with the protest, noting pictures of the gatherings that have gone viral on social media.
“I believe from what I am gathering there must be an in- house issue between the students themselves but as I mentioned, safety is still paramount.”
Police in the capital have now stepped up their efforts to deter any public gathering that may be deemed a disturbance to peace in the city.