9 Jul 2014

Protests at PNG university turn violent

9:54 am on 9 July 2014

A student referendum at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Tuesday turned violent after two groups of students started disagreeing with each other.

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Photo: RNZI

Our correspondent Todagia Kelola, who was at the university when the fighting erupted, says about 400 students were voting on whether or not they would stage protests against the recent political turmoil in the country.

However, Mr Kelola says the two sides couldn't agree and ended up fighting each other.

"While the votes were being counted there were some disagreements and then a fight broke out among those who didn't want to take part in the protest and those who wanted to take part and stones and sticks were exchanged."

Todagia Kelola says police charged in and fired shots to quell the protests.