SYDNEY, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinean authorities are considering to issue a curfew at the nation's largest university campuses from Monday in fear of revenge attacks following the death of a student during a weekend of carnage.
The student died after being attacked in his dormitory at the University of Technology (Unitech) in the port city of Lae on Saturday night by a group of men armed with bush knives who subsequently burnt cars and buildings.
The attack followed the fire-bombing of a building and cars at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in capital city Port Moresby on Friday after a day of clashes between student groups and security.
"An immediate curfew is recommended to be imposed at UPNG and Unitech so as to support police to restore law and order on the campuses," chief secretary to PNG's Government, Isaac Lupari said in a statement following the National Security Advisory Council meeting on Monday.
"A call-out of the PNG Defence Force is recommended in the event that this is required by police."
Retaliatory attacks aren't uncommon in PNG due to its culture of endemic violence and tribal warfare where the eye-for-an-eye mentality rules.
PNG university students have been boycotting classes at the nation's universities over the past months calling for PNG Prime Minister to step aside and answer allegations of official corruption.
Tensions came to a head in June after police fired into a crowd of protesting university students who had allegedly started the altercation by throwing rocks, hospitalizing dozens.
The violence spilled throughout the capital Port Moresby and regional centers, with opportunists looting businesses and damaging police and government vehicles and buildings, closing down the city and sending innocent residents, tourists and expat workers into safe confines.
Following the protests, the government and universities obtained orders to force a return to class, however students have begun fighting among themselves over whether to continue the boycott and protests over government corruption.
The government alleged however there are outside forces manipulating the students, including the weekend's incidents.
"The thugs responsible (for the student's death) will be identified by police and they will be charged," Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said in a statement.
"It is believed there were people involved from outside the campus and police will follow every lead in this case."
