crime
“Total anarchy”: dead in riots in Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister James Marape has called in the military for help because of the unrest in Papua New Guinea. photo
© Lukas Coch/AAP/dpa
Some speak of the “darkest day” in Papua New Guinea’s history. A police strike degenerates into violence and looting. Now the military is patrolling.
During the serious riots in Several people have reportedly died in Papua New Guinea. There was chaos and looting on Wednesday, especially in the capital Port Moresby, after many security officers stopped work due to a breakdown in their salary payments.
In total there were at least 15 deaths, eight in the capital Port Moresby and seven in the northern city of Lae, Australian broadcaster ABC reported, citing police headquarters in Lae. Eyewitnesses spoke of “total anarchy”.
What began as a peaceful demonstration by police and other officials in front of the Parliament building in Port Moresby escalated dramatically a short time later. The trigger is said to have been a technical glitch in the payment of civil servants’ salaries. Many were therefore only paid around half of what they would otherwise earn. Those affected apparently thought their income had been cut short and went on strike. The local newspaper Post Courier wrote that many citizens took advantage of the situation to loot stores.
The military should ensure calm
Prime Minister James Marape then called in the military for help. On Thursday, numerous soldiers patrolled the city to keep the situation under control. According to shop owners and entrepreneurs, the destruction and financial losses are enormous. Among other things, a large shopping center was set on fire. Some spoke of the “darkest day in Papua New Guinea’s history.”
Marape assured the officials that the payments were an error and that the missing money would be paid with the next salary. He acknowledged that times are extremely difficult economically, “but such lawlessness doesn’t help.”
The Commonwealth country Papua New Guinea is part of the Australian continent and has around ten million inhabitants. Many people live in great poverty in the Pacific island nation.