by Sylvester Gawi – EM TV, Lae
Investigations are continuing into the shootings that occurred in Mt Hagen city on Thursday.
A Hagen Park Secondary School student was among the two that were shot while police were trying to disperse looters.
Yesterday, police reportedly took four students into custody.
So far, two people have died and several are still recovering from minor injuries following a confrontation between the police and public in Mt Hagen city.
The incident happened when police were dispersing looters from several shops that were on fire on Thursday morning.
A police unit was reported to have driven into Hagen Park Secondary School grounds and to have fired tear gas, which forced examinations to be delayed.
Some doors and walls of classrooms were also damaged by police officers during the attack.
The incident was allegedly caused by students throwing stones and using abusive language towards the police officers on the scene.
Western Highlands Acting Police Commander Jacob Kamiak says police were only doing their job; to protect the lives and businesses of the people.
He couldn’t confirm the shooting by police as investigations are still underway.
The school’s administration has compiled a report on Thursday’s incident and has presented it to several authorities, including the police hierarchy.
However, police have contained the situation and are on alert to respond to possible threats from families and relatives of the deceased.
