Students warned: Stop fighting or face court

By NICHOLAS SIREO
POLICE in Lae have issued a final warning to students involved in inter-school fights to stop before they are all arrested and taken to court.
Metropolitan Superintendant Anthony Wagambie Jr said police this week broke up several clashes between male students of Lae and Bugandi Secondary schools in the city.
“I am warning students that if they instigate any more fights, police will conduct a mass arrest and let the courts deal with them,” he said.
“There has been more than enough awareness regarding school fights but students have not paid heed.”
The fights had continued from last year despite students being counselled and awareness by police and city authorities.
He said the recent fighting could have escalated had police not intervened.
“Since last week, small clashes occurred between rival student groups. A couple of students from both sides were injured on Wednesday. Police managed to contain the fighting,” he said.
Wagambie said yesterday morning, a big group of male students from Bugandi marched to Lae Secondary School at Eriku.
“Police tried to stop them but they defied police warnings and continued, thus provoking Lae Secondary students,” he said.
He said Lae Secondary teachers and police managed to hold back their students in the school compound. “Police fired tear gas and forcefully dispersed more than 200 Bugandi students. They defied police warnings to stand down and hurled sticks and stones at police officers,” he said.
He called on former students and parents to assist police in preventing further inter-school fights in the city.
“The principals and school administrations cannot prevent school fights alone.
“Parents and former students should step in to assist,” he said.