Army probes attack

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The National, Wednesday July 17th, 2013

 A MILITARY-sanctioned investigation will begin today into the attack on students and destruction of property at the University of PNG (UPNG) School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences at 3-Mile, NCD, by Defence Force soldiers from the Taurama barracks.

Col Tokam Kanene will head the investigation and report its findings to Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok. Pok told Parliament yesterday that soldiers involved in the rampage would face instant dismissal from the force.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill also told Parliament that he would direct the Police Commissioner to station a mobile unit at the UPNG Taurama campus to provide additional security for the students. 

Pok’s statement yesterday reaffirmed O’Neill’s earlier statement that soldiers found guilty would be terminated without final entitlements.

At the UPNG Waigani campus yesterday, a student forum agreed to petition the Government on the incident pending approval by the university administration.

Student leaders said they had made their intentions known to Vice-Chancellor Prof Albert Mellam.