By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV News, Port Moresby
When EMTV News arrived at the UPNG main campus this morning, students were armed with bush knives, stones, sticks and metal bars as they chased Uniforce security personnel and their vehicles.
Angry students set alight five vehicles, and ransacked the security base. One of these vehicles was privately owned.
The famous Sir Michael Somare Library was also stoned.
According to UPNG and Uniforce staff, one faction of students tried to prevent their fellow students from attending classes this morning. When Uniforce stepped in to stop them, they retaliated and a fight broke out.
However, UPNG students claim that they were not at the scene when the guards ordered them to return to class.
A senior Uniforce guard spoke to EMTV News this afternoon and denied this claim.
A reconciliation ceremony was supposed to take place today between the students and the administration, but it never happened.
As of 2.50pm Police said that the situation at UPNG was still tense, but they have withdrawn from the campus.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=pX34BKBis_0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0