On Saturday,the bus stop area outsidethe UPNG campus became a war zone for almost an hour, as student groups on both ends ofthe freeway hurled rocks and bottles at each ther.
Traffic alongthe University of Papua New GuineaCampus came to a standstill for almost an hour today after a fight between student groups from two different ethnicities.
Opposing groups of students’from Simbu and Enga Province clashed this morning withinthe campus grounds beforethe melee spilled out intothe public.
Student eyewithnesses saythe fight erupted after three intoxicated students’swore at a student leader atthe UPNG mess last night.
That incident escalated into an all-out clash betweenthe students’fromthe two provinces this morning at around 9 am.
Police arrived atthe scene but could not containthe clash. Tear gas wasthen used to dispersethe warring sides. This created anther commotion between police and students’from Enga.
After almost an hour,the tension subsided as both sides resigned inthe midst of police presence.
The University of Papua New Guineahas a zero tolerance policy on alcohol. However, it is understood that alcohol is smuggled in and consumed within campus.
The clash has also dampened a united effort bythe university in its criticism ofthe Asylum Seeker DealletweePNG and Australia.
Police saythe campus and surrounding areas will be monitored to prevent any futher clashes. There is still a feeling of animosity between both sides.
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