SYDNEY, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) police have reportedly opened fire on university students who have been in a month-long protest against the prime minister's handling of the economy and ongoing clouds about corruption.
Papua New Guinea's parliament has been told four people have been killed and seven injured after police opened fire on the crowd of students, Australia's national broadcaster reported on Wednesday. Other media reports are suggesting as many as 15 students could be injured.
It's believed the students were attempting to march from their university campus to the PNG parliament. However, they were prevented by police.
Local PNG media reported the police said the march was deemed illegal as it did not get the necessary approval to proceed.
The PNG parliament, which is due to hear motion for a fourth vote of no-confidence against current Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has been adjourned until Tuesday next week due to the unrest.
Xinhua's request for comment to PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Police Commissioner Gari Baki were not immediately returned.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has called for both sides to de-escalate the tensions and to "respect the peaceful and lawful right to protest."
"We will be monitoring the situation closely," Bishop told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday, adding she will be in contact with her PNG counterpart Rimbink Pato once details of the unrest are confirmed by Australian officials on the ground.
Governor of Oro Province Gary Juffa, a critic of O'Neill, posted to social media the "issue started with an argument between a metropolitan police superintendent and a student".
