The government of Papua New Guinea is reportedly considering imposing campus curfews following a fatal weekend of carnage at a university in the Pacific Island nation's second largest city.
A student was knifed to death and several buildings set alight after a group armed with bush knives stormed the University of Technology campus in Lae on Saturday night.
A prominent doctor was also gunned down in the coastal town, however it is understood the attack was unrelated to the university violence.
#PNG govt eyes state of emergency after #Unitech student killed, building burnt https://t.co/5Y8oLfZqdL via @PNGLOOPpic.twitter.com/eSB7YcSMoL
β Stefan Armbruster (@StefArmbruster) June 26, 2016
The attack at the Lae campus follows the fire-bombing of a building at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Friday, which in turn followed a day of clashes between student groups and security on the campus.
Earlier this month, police opened fire on rallying UPNG students in Port Moresby who were protesting against O'Neill's refusal to step down amid corruption allegations.
In Lae, UNITECH's Vice-Chancellor, Albert Schram, said investigations were underway.
"As far as we can gather from oral evidence so far, it was a mixed group with outsiders and possibly some students," he told the ABC's Pacific Beat.
"It was dark, so positive identifications are not easy, and we have to wait for the results of the investigation."
One #Unitech student killed, 4 buildings burnt down in Lae. Footage via #PNG NBC National News #UPNGpic.twitter.com/RJh36Mo3pV
β Stefan Armbruster (@StefArmbruster) June 26, 2016
The student who died was attacked with knives inside his room, Port Moresby's The National Newspaper reported.
Police have been called to the admin building where students and family of the student killed on Saturday have gathered #Lae#PNG#Unitech
β EMTV Online PNG (@EMTVOnline) June 27, 2016
PNG's minister for higher education, Malakai Tabar, condemned the attack and said it was the work of criminal elements.
"I call on forces that have had a hand in causing instability and cruel destruction to our universities to take into account the common good and not destroy our universities and their culture of academic learning and innovation," he told news website PNG Loop.
"No student lives should be taken by budding intellectuals and no leader should perpetrate the taking of innocent lives for one's narrow objectives."
PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has reportedly said his cabinet would discuss imposing a curfew on campuses to ensure safety, while a Government team is expected travel to Lae on Monday to assess the situation.
Post-Courier Live
Peter O'Neill Condemns attack on Student at UNITECH curfew to be imposed on campuses
The... https://t.co/fPVzAbvdwP
β Post Courier (@SppPost) June 27, 2016