Port Moresby: Forces patrolled the streets and roads of Papua New Guinea’s capital on Friday (today), under a state of emergency after riots that killed 16 people across the country’s two major cities.
The country’s Prime Minister James Marape has vowed to restore calm following angry crowds swelled in Port Moresby on Wednesday, smashing windows, raiding shops, setting buildings and compounds ablaze.
The PM said rioters would “pay the price” for the eruptions of “lawlessness”, declaring a 14-day state of emergency for the country’s capital on Thursday.
With around 1,000 soldiers placed on standby to maintain security, many of the city’s bank branches, grocery stores and petrol stations started re-opening Friday.
Papua New Guinea: Troops Restore Order Following Riots
“Shops and markets have opened, fuel stations have also opened, public transportation is being opened for the citizens. A citizen told AFP that there are an increased level of military and police around the city. The citizens expressed feared about the law-and-order situation in the country.
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Violence first erupted in Port Moresby after a group of forces, police officers and prison security guards went on protest following noticing unexplained deductions in their payment.
Police and health officials confirmed around 16 people had been killed across the two cities. The United States embassy in Port Moresby stated shots were fired near its building as police tried to “disperse groups of robbers”.
China’s foreign ministry also lodged a complaint with the government of Papua New Guinea after reports that some rioters had attacked Chinese-owned businesses in the country.
Earlier, Police officials said on Thursday that around 15 people were killed in riots across Papua New Guinea’s two major cities. Police confirmed that eight people were killed in Port Moresby during the crisis on Wednesday while seven people were killed Lae.
