Protests, looting and a burning shopping center: There have been violent riots in Papua New Guinea. Previously, security officers had been paid incorrect salaries. The reason for this was apparently a technical glitch.
Serious riots and looting have broken out in Papua New Guinea after numerous security officers were underpaid. What began as a peaceful demonstration by police and other officials in front of the parliament building in the capital Port Moresby unexpectedly escalated into a dramatic security situation, local media reported.
There were also violent protests in front of the head of government’s headquarters, as reported by the AFP news agency and as seen in videos on online networks. A crowd tried to break a chain on the gate to the seat. The demonstrators then tried to set a guard post on fire. When this failed, they set fire to a police car, as an AFP employee on site reported.
Technical glitch as a trigger
The riots are said to have been triggered by a technical glitch in the payment of salaries. Many civil servants 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. Hundreds of citizens took advantage of the situation to loot shops.
Among other things, a large shopping center was set on fire. Numerous stores in the city were looted, the Post Courier newspaper reported. She posted images and videos of billowing smoke over the city and scores of people running through the streets. “Port Moresby is burning,” the paper headlined.
Even though security forces demonstrated, it was still unclear who was responsible for the riots. An AFP reporter in Port Moresby said there was a mix of “police officers, soldiers and civilians.”
President appeals to citizens
According to Australian broadcaster ABC, the government has called in the military to help bring the unrest under control. Emergency services were repeatedly called to help the injured, it was said. Shots were also said to have been fired.
Prime Minister James Marape assured people that the erroneous payouts were a mistake: “I would like to appeal to citizens to protect our city,” he said. “Police and officials’ complaints will be addressed and the missing money will be paid out in the next payment.”