The Lae public has been left stranded at bus stops all overthe city aftePMV owners withdrewtheir services followingthe burning of two buses in separate incidents this week.
OnPMV was burned on Sunday in retaliation overthe death of a man. Another was burned last Thursday after a young Morobe woman was killed in a hit and run accident.
All bus-stops were deserted; no buses no passengers waiting for buses. Atthe main market bus-stop only onPMV arrived. Those desperate to get home climbed throughthe windows.
All over Lae city adults and school children all makingtheir way home on foot.
Eye withnesses ofthPMV that was burnt at about 10am on Sunday saidthe driver andthe passenger were nearly slashed by knife wielding youths who attackedthe bus as it was dropping off passengers.
Schools alongthe Bemayong area have also been suspended. The education office has instructed schools to suspend classesntilthe tension eases.
It’s understoodthe bus was burned in retaliation for the death of a man who was reportedly thrown out of a runninPMV. Circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear at this stage.
Last Thursday, anther bus was burned by angry relatives of a young woman who was killed by anthePMV.
They picked onthe vehicle, in retaliationthey stoned itthen burned it.
Provincial authorities are negotiating with bus owners for services to be restored but it’s not clear if services will resume anytime this week.
Scott Waide, National EMTV News_LAE
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